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Georgia in Russian attack claim Georgia in Russian attack claim
(about 1 hour later)
Russia has committed an "act of aggression" against Georgia by dropping a bomb or a missile on a Georgian village, officials in Tbilisi say. Russia has committed an "act of aggression" against Georgia by dropping a bomb or a missile on a Georgian territory, officials in Tbilisi say.
They say the ordnance landed outside the village of Tsitelubani on Monday, about 65km (40 miles) west of the capital Tbilisi, but did not explode. They say the ordnance landed outside the village of Tsitelubani on Monday, about 65km (40 miles) north-west of the capital Tbilisi, but did not explode.
Russian officials have moved quickly to deny all of the accusations.Russian officials have moved quickly to deny all of the accusations.
Relations between the two neighbouring countries have often been fraught since the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991.Relations between the two neighbouring countries have often been fraught since the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991.
'Act of aggression''Act of aggression'
"Russia's air force neither on Monday nor Tuesday flew flights over Georgia," Col Alexander Drobyshevsky said. Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili told the Reuters news agency that two Russian fighter jets had dropped the bomb or the guided missile at 1930 (1530 GMT) on Monday.
"Russia has not violated the borders of sovereign Georgia," added Col Drobyshevsky, who is the aide to the commander of Russia's air force. He said the Russian jets flew some 60km over Georgia's territory, dropping the 700-kg ordnance which did not explode. No-one was injured in the incident.
Earlier, Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili told the Reuters news agency: "Our radars show that these jets flew from Russia and then flew back in the same direction that they had come from. Earlier, Mr Merabishvili told Reuters: "Our radars show that these jets flew from Russia and then flew back in the same direction that they had come from.
"I assess this fact as an act of aggression carried out by planes flown from the territory of another state.""I assess this fact as an act of aggression carried out by planes flown from the territory of another state."
Moscow denied the accusations.
"Russia's air force neither on Monday nor Tuesday flew flights over Georgia," said Col Alexander Drobyshevsky, an aide to the commander of Russia's air force.
"Russia has not violated the borders of sovereign Georgia," Col Drobyshevsky added.
Georgian officials said the bomb had landed close to Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia, which receives political and financial support from Moscow.
Strained relations
Relations between Moscow and Tbilisi deteriorated sharply last year when Georgia expelled four Russian army officers it accused of spying.Relations between Moscow and Tbilisi deteriorated sharply last year when Georgia expelled four Russian army officers it accused of spying.
The deportation triggered a furious diplomatic row, with Moscow imposing economic sanctions against its neighbour and deporting a number of Georgians.The deportation triggered a furious diplomatic row, with Moscow imposing economic sanctions against its neighbour and deporting a number of Georgians.
Georgian officials have frequently claimed that Russian military aircraft have violated its airspace - accusations always denied by Russia.Georgian officials have frequently claimed that Russian military aircraft have violated its airspace - accusations always denied by Russia.
Moscow is angry about Georgia's plans to join Nato, while Tbilisi accuses Russia of trying to destabilize Georgia. Moscow is angry about Georgia's plans to join Nato, while Tbilisi accuses Russia of trying to destabilise Georgia.
The worst problems have usually been related to regional conflicts - the frozen conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The worst problems have usually been related to regional conflicts - the frozen conflicts in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Many Georgians accuse Russia of imperialism, while Russia criticises Georgia for nationalism and pursuing an anti-Russian foreign policy.Many Georgians accuse Russia of imperialism, while Russia criticises Georgia for nationalism and pursuing an anti-Russian foreign policy.