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Russian troops in Georgia advance Russian troops in Georgia advance
(10 minutes later)
Russian troops have entered Georgia from the breakaway region of Abkhazia, as the conflict between the two neighbours appears to be broadening.Russian troops have entered Georgia from the breakaway region of Abkhazia, as the conflict between the two neighbours appears to be broadening.
Moscow said it had carried out a raid on the town of Senaki to stop Georgia from attacking Russian forces in South Ossetia, another breakaway region. Moscow said it had raided the town of Senaki to stop Georgia attacking South Ossetia, another breakaway region. They later said their forces had pulled out.
And Georgia says Russian troops have captured the town of Gori in central Georgia - a claim denied by Moscow.And Georgia says Russian troops have captured the town of Gori in central Georgia - a claim denied by Moscow.
As the fighting continued, foreign envoys were pressing for a ceasefire.As the fighting continued, foreign envoys were pressing for a ceasefire.
Violence erupted in South Ossetia late last week when Georgia launched an overnight assault on the territory.Violence erupted in South Ossetia late last week when Georgia launched an overnight assault on the territory.
Click to view a map of the regionClick to view a map of the region
Russia, which supports the province's bid for separation, then bombed targets throughout Georgia and moved troops into the region and into Abkhazia.Russia, which supports the province's bid for separation, then bombed targets throughout Georgia and moved troops into the region and into Abkhazia.
Russian denialRussian denial
Russia confirmed for the first time on Monday it had advanced beyond the borders of Abkhazia, saying it had launched an operation in the town of Senaki.Russia confirmed for the first time on Monday it had advanced beyond the borders of Abkhazia, saying it had launched an operation in the town of Senaki.
Later, a Russian defence official told Russian news agencies that its forces had withdrawn from Senaki and that they had forced out a Georgian unit which could have shelled South Ossetia.Later, a Russian defence official told Russian news agencies that its forces had withdrawn from Senaki and that they had forced out a Georgian unit which could have shelled South Ossetia.
Our visits to these hospitals confirm that local medical facilities are dealing with a large number of wounded and dead Dominik StillhartRed Cross Lessons from South OssetiaVoices on the conflictPress reacts to the crisisOur visits to these hospitals confirm that local medical facilities are dealing with a large number of wounded and dead Dominik StillhartRed Cross Lessons from South OssetiaVoices on the conflictPress reacts to the crisis
Georgian officials also accused Russian troops of moving into the town of Zugdidi, near Abkhazia.Georgian officials also accused Russian troops of moving into the town of Zugdidi, near Abkhazia.
The Russians issued an ultimatum to Georgian forces to disarm or face attack, and proceeded to occupy government buildings there, the Georgians said.The Russians issued an ultimatum to Georgian forces to disarm or face attack, and proceeded to occupy government buildings there, the Georgians said.
And the conflict over South Ossetia also appeared to have widened, with Georgia accusing Russia of capturing the town of Gori, just 76km (47 miles) from Tbilisi.And the conflict over South Ossetia also appeared to have widened, with Georgia accusing Russia of capturing the town of Gori, just 76km (47 miles) from Tbilisi.
"This is a total onslaught," Georgia's National Security Council secretary Alexander Lomaia told AFP news agency."This is a total onslaught," Georgia's National Security Council secretary Alexander Lomaia told AFP news agency.
He said Georgian troops were pulling back to defend Tbilisi.He said Georgian troops were pulling back to defend Tbilisi.
But Russia's defence ministry later issued a statement rejecting the claim, saying there were no Russian troops in Gori.But Russia's defence ministry later issued a statement rejecting the claim, saying there were no Russian troops in Gori.
Local officials in South Ossetia's secessionist government accused Georgia of bombing targets in the capital, Tskhinvali, by helicopter.Local officials in South Ossetia's secessionist government accused Georgia of bombing targets in the capital, Tskhinvali, by helicopter.
Nato pleaNato plea
On Monday, EU envoys were attempting to broker an agreement between Tbilisi and Moscow.On Monday, EU envoys were attempting to broker an agreement between Tbilisi and Moscow.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili signed an EU-backed ceasefire document.Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili signed an EU-backed ceasefire document.
But the text was rejected by Russia, which said any negotiations could take place only after Georgian troops had pulled out of the disputed regions.But the text was rejected by Russia, which said any negotiations could take place only after Georgian troops had pulled out of the disputed regions.
ABKHAZIA Broke away from Georgia in 1992-1993 warDe-facto independence not recognised internationally2,000 Russian troops there sent as peacekeepersGeorgia seized strategic Kodori Gorge in Abkhazia in 2006Abkhazia rejected Georgian offer of autonomy within federal state Q&A: Violence in South OssetiaIn pictures: Georgia in crisisProfile: AbkhaziaABKHAZIA Broke away from Georgia in 1992-1993 warDe-facto independence not recognised internationally2,000 Russian troops there sent as peacekeepersGeorgia seized strategic Kodori Gorge in Abkhazia in 2006Abkhazia rejected Georgian offer of autonomy within federal state Q&A: Violence in South OssetiaIn pictures: Georgia in crisisProfile: Abkhazia
And leaders from both countries carried on a war of words, with Russia accusing Georgia of genocide, and President Saakashvili hitting back with claims of ethnic cleansing.And leaders from both countries carried on a war of words, with Russia accusing Georgia of genocide, and President Saakashvili hitting back with claims of ethnic cleansing.
Mr Saakashvili accused Russia of trying to overthrow his government and claimed Russia was now in control of the majority of Georgian lands.Mr Saakashvili accused Russia of trying to overthrow his government and claimed Russia was now in control of the majority of Georgian lands.
Russian officials denied they were seeking a regime change, and reiterated that they were responding to Georgian attacks and protecting Russian citizens - who make up the majority of the population of South Ossetia.Russian officials denied they were seeking a regime change, and reiterated that they were responding to Georgian attacks and protecting Russian citizens - who make up the majority of the population of South Ossetia.
BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says the further Russia penetrates into Georgian territory, the harder it is for Moscow to claim it occupies the high ground.BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says the further Russia penetrates into Georgian territory, the harder it is for Moscow to claim it occupies the high ground.
But, our correspondent adds, the worrying question is - does the Russian leadership care about its reputation abroad any more?But, our correspondent adds, the worrying question is - does the Russian leadership care about its reputation abroad any more?
Meanwhile, the Red Cross said it has visited several hospitals in Georgia and on Russian territory and warned that the humanitarian situation "remains very serious".Meanwhile, the Red Cross said it has visited several hospitals in Georgia and on Russian territory and warned that the humanitarian situation "remains very serious".
"It's still too early to say how many people have been killed or injured by the fighting," said Dominik Stillhart, the organisation's deputy director of operations."It's still too early to say how many people have been killed or injured by the fighting," said Dominik Stillhart, the organisation's deputy director of operations.
"But our visits to these hospitals confirm that local medical facilities are dealing with a large number of wounded and dead.""But our visits to these hospitals confirm that local medical facilities are dealing with a large number of wounded and dead."
In other developments:In other developments:
• The UN security council is to be briefed by its peacekeeping department on apparent incursions in to Georgian territory.• The UN security council is to be briefed by its peacekeeping department on apparent incursions in to Georgian territory.
• Georgia's foreign minister is due to meet Nato officials on Tuesday. Russia has also requested an emergency meeting with Nato, saying the organisation should hear Moscow's side before making any decisions.• Georgia's foreign minister is due to meet Nato officials on Tuesday. Russia has also requested an emergency meeting with Nato, saying the organisation should hear Moscow's side before making any decisions.
• The US and several European nations have begun to evacuated hundreds of their citizens from Georgia.• The US and several European nations have begun to evacuated hundreds of their citizens from Georgia.
• Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland issue a joint statement saying that as "once-captive nations of Eastern Europe" they share a "deep concern" about Russia's actions towards Georgia.• Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland issue a joint statement saying that as "once-captive nations of Eastern Europe" they share a "deep concern" about Russia's actions towards Georgia.
• The G7 group of developed countries issues a strongly-worded statement calling on Russia to accept the EU-brokered ceasefire agreement.• The G7 group of developed countries issues a strongly-worded statement calling on Russia to accept the EU-brokered ceasefire agreement.
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