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Georgia: Russia has invaded and we are under attack

1,400 reported dead. Georgia to withdraw troops from Iraq for use in South Ossetia.

By Gary Fennelly
Friday, 8 August 2008

Russian First Channel claims these are burning Georgian armored vehicles are seen in Tskhinvali in the South Ossetian breakaway region of Georgia on Friday, Aug. 8, 2008.

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Russia sent troops and tanks into the breakaway Georgian province of South Ossetia today as Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin declared "the war has started".

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "War started today in South Ossetia when Georgia attacked Russian peacekeepers in the disputed region."

Earlier an official in Georgia's National Security Council said Russia invaded Georgia.

Kakha Lamaia said: "If it's not war, then we are very close to it. The Russians have invaded Georgia and we are under attack."

Georgian President Mikhail Saakasvili told CNN: "Russia is fighting a war with us in our own territory.

"This is a clear intrusion on another country's territory. We have Russian tanks on our territory, jets on our territory in broad daylight."

Saakashvili accused its neighbor of a "well-planned invasion" and called on reservists to sign up for duty. He said "150 Russian tanks, armoured personnel carriers and other vehicles" had entered South Ossetia.

The president of the Georgian breakaway region, Eduard Kokoity, was quoted as saying: "About 1,400 people have died. We will check these figures, but the order of the numbers is around this. We have this on the basis of reports from relatives."

Witnesses claim Tskhinvali is devastated. "I saw bodies lying on the streets, around ruined buildings, in cars," said one.

"It's impossible to count them now. There is hardly a single building left undamaged."

The Georgian government said it will try to protect Russian peacekeepers who are in the disputed region. However Russia claims 10 Russian peacekeepers have already been killed.

As the fighting escalates Georgia says it will withdraw 1,000 troops from Iraq and redeploy them to the region.

Nato, the US and the EU are calling for an immediate end to hostilities.

Georgia claims to have shot down five Russian war planes as the two countries fight for control of the breakaway province of South Ossetia.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has vowed to protect Russian citizens in the region.

Medvedev said: "In accordance with the constitution and the federal law, I, as president of Russia, am obliged to protect the lives and dignity of Russian citizens wherever they are located," Mr Medvedev said in televised remarks.

"We won't allow the death of our compatriots to go unpunished."

Georgian troops are currently observing a three-hour ceasefire to let civilians leave the besieged capital, Tskhinvali.

Saakashvili said most of South Ossetia had been "liberated" in an overnight offensive.

"Most of South Ossetia's territory is liberated and is controlled by Georgia," Saakashvili said in televised comments today.

"Russian flights are ongoing in the centre of Tskhinvali (the South Ossetian capital)... I demand Russia stop bombardment of peaceful Georgian cities."

Video from Russia Today

Georgia launches offensive in South Ossetia

^{By Shaun Walker in Moscow}

According to the Russian agency Interfax, a large group of Georgian soldiers moved towards the breakaway capital, Tskhinvali, late yesterday evening.

The separatist President, Eduard Kokoity, told the agency that "the storming of Tskhinvali has started" and said that separatist forces were engaged with the Georgian army on the roads into the city. A statement on the separatist government's website said: "The assault is coming from all directions."

The fear is that Russia could be drawn into the conflict, with previous foreign ministry statements saying that Russia could not remain "indifferent" to an armed skirmish on its southern border. Already late last night there were reports that hundreds of volunteers were on their way from North Ossetia, which is part of Russia, through the Caucasus Mountains to join their ethnic kin in South Ossetia. The leadership of Abkhazia, Georgia's other breakaway state, said that 1,000 volunteers from Abkhazia were also on their way.

Where is Georgia?

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South Ossetia is a tiny territory with a population of around 50,000, which broke away from Georgia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Most of the region is under the control of separatist authorities but the central Georgian government in Tbilisi controls several villages. Tensions have been high in recent months, with frequent exchanges of fire between the sides, but so far all-out war has been avoided. An exchange of fire on Wednesday night left at least one person dead and many injured.

The West has supported Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, who wants to bring his country out of Russia's orbit and into Nato, in his drive to reintegrate the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia into Georgia's fold. However, any military action could harm the country's chances of Nato accession. Russia has provided financial support to the separatist authorities.

It now seems the Georgians may have tired of negotiations and decided to take matters into their own hands. But the timing is bizarre. Negotiations between the separatist authorities and a Georgian minister were planned for this afternoon, and the attack on Tskhinvali came just hours after Mr Saakashvili had announced a unilateral ceasefire on live television.

"I want to acknowledge that several hours ago I, as a supreme commander, have issued a very painful order not to return fire in response to a very intensive shelling [of Georgian villages]," said the Georgian President yesterday evening.

But the ceasefire lasted only hours and Mr Kokoity called Mr Saakashvili's ceasefire a "despicable and treacherous" ruse.

"Despite our call for peace and a unilateral ceasefire, separatists continued the shelling of Georgian villages," said Georgian commander Mamuka Kurashvili. "We are forced to restore constitutional order in the whole region."

And Moscow reacted furiously to the news. "The actions by Georgia in South Ossetia bear witness to the fact that the leadership of that country can no longer be trusted," said a foreign ministry statement.

The Georgian government said it had information about "hundreds of mercenaries, tanks and other equipment" entering South Ossetia through the Roki tunnel from Russia.

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73 Comments

hahaha. This world is just screwed. Its simple. I am Russian, but i live in the US. If the US bombed my town, of course i would want the Russian gov to protect me. I believe everyone just needs to mind their own bussiness. US is the worst. US looks like the pc keeper but they get involved the most. They have military stations all over the world. for what? self defence? they need to defend from canada and mexico, and they not gonna fight so US is fine. US has weapons of mass destruction, y did we attack Afgan. again? o yea, caz they had the weapons. US is the bully " We are allowed to have weapons but your not!" main point: Deal with ur own problems. Yea i agree Georgia would get destroyed by Russia, but if they are stupid enough to enter war, let them. US needs to stop geting involved with everyone. Let the whole world deal with their own stuff. Geting involved just causes more trouble

Posted by TrickDaddy | 13.03.09, 17:24 GMT

Look at Russia's history for war, they obviously would not have started such a war, Georgia started something they can't finish and have the nerve to now pretend like they're innocent and being bullied by Russia. A joke! The west supports Georgia? Look at the west's history for war, they are not to be trusted! Don't start something you can't finish!!

Posted by Shameful | 17.10.08, 17:21 GMT

I'm Russian. Yesterday I watched the 20 minutes interview Putin gave CNN on Russian TV. Today I watched this very interview on American CNN Chanel. It took 2 minutes. And has been translated absolutely differently. Does it mean anything? You, Americans, must have your own opinion concerning this situation, but not listen to your Government and illusory mass media.

Posted by Anton Makarov | 29.08.08, 08:21 GMT

this is out of our hands no protest or rally is going to stop this war now. its been planned. whats the world focused on?? the olimpics you cant deny that the attacks (from whatever side started this) just happend to start whilst the worlds leaders where on there way to china. this go's above just "saving russian peace keepers" its a fully planned out war and this is only the start

Posted by ross sinclair | 18.08.08, 12:17 GMT

I am a proud American but i think our government is wrong for denouncing Russia's involvement in South Ossetia. Russia could completely destroy Georgia if all-out-war were to occur and to not have done so already is a testament to them and their leadership. Bush accusing Putin and Russia of "bullying and intimidating Georgia". What a hypocrite! Does anyone remember the 2 day ultimatum he gave Saddam? What about the costly war we're involved in just to give us a foothold into the middle east? The one we had no reason to get involved in but president Bush insisted we do it. Talk about a bully. At least Russia has a reason to go to war. I say Georgia should just let Russia take what rightfully theirs before they decide to make Georgia an artillery test site.

Posted by Benjamin Kacy Goin | 16.08.08, 02:14 GMT

I want to answer the American who weeps for the Georgians. Open your eyes you fool. Georgia attacked first with weapons supplied by the americans who co-incedentally just happen to be standing by as the main pece keeping force again, well im not fooled even if you are. Its all a smoke screen to keep attention away from the main picture which is Iran and their oil. So read up on your facts and you will find that America is up to its usual tricks in getting other people to start their wars for nothing more than power and greed and fools like you keep voting them in. Why can you Americans not see what the rest of the world see and that is that your government is the most corrupt and greedy government in the world and that ever has been.

Posted by Tazman | 14.08.08, 18:43 GMT

This is pathetic. These are clearly signs of how the world is coming to an end . killing innocents!

Posted by God Save as All | 14.08.08, 07:42 GMT

Wise up Chris, either you are just an angry guy who needs to lash out, or you are dangerously out of touch. It is plain to see that Russia is just gettting back into its power grabbing mode, now that it has the oil wealth to support it. Russia has been taking advantage of Georgia's weak spots for quite a while, with the forward thinking that they can use it against them, if they move toward Nato. And they did. Like a big bully they gave Georgia a kicking to the point where the US would still allow it, and no more. Georgia wont be the last on Russia's kicking list, just as the Czech's were not the last after the Natzi's went to "liberate" its so called ethnic Germans. Its all the same game, just different tyrants and people like you are helping them do it because you shout out the truth with your confused madness.

Posted by Stuart | 13.08.08, 05:42 GMT

Guys,

I don't understand what this all about, but one thing is clear, because of the bombs and war so called EARTH will bring a change soon. Just wait & watch if the same continue everyone will fight to survive due to natural calamity.

Live in peace and else earth will go in piece. decide!

Posted by Bond | 12.08.08, 22:45 GMT

eastern rubbbish! Georgia attacked Ossetia first, then Russia came to help ossetia and defended Ossetia, russian soldiers that were in Georgia that time stood up for Ossetia and called for help, finally, Russia attacked Georgia because they refused to stop bombing the Ossetia. Then just after russian attack Georgian President made a speech to USA from the name of Europe (for the first time in plain ENGLISH language) that Russia attacked Georgia, damn, and now half of the world is against Russia anh half - against Georgia because there are 2 versions, who attacked first! Russia did nothing goddamn it!!! And I`m neutral, not from russia, not from georia if you wanted to ask.

Posted by Chris | 12.08.08, 21:26 GMT

Democracy is the mother of all.the situation in Georgia right now calls for a Serious and Quick tactical response QTR..the world should not wait for US to stop up for wht is wrong.at this momonet we should not asking who is AGRESSOR or not , we should find a way to stop killings in Georgia and Ossetia.let the world find a better to settle differences because non of these countries can create a single livingthing.so why destroying wht u can't create back.let then find a sports or something else to use instead of fighting/killing themselves.US should be very carefull on this situation now.it might be a setup !!!

Posted by Prince (Engr) Odinaka Amobi. | 12.08.08, 15:30 GMT

Is democracy stronger than Russian bombs? My heart goes out to our fellow brothers and sisters in Georgia right now. They fought side by side with us, they trust us, and we are letting them down. If it were up to me we would be in there right now fighting with them. How is the world sitting back letting this happen?
Is America Georgia’s only hope?
Is America the only country that can stand up for freedom? The only ones to lead a fight against tyrany and terrorism?
Where is the rest of the world?
Georgia, I am so sorry, I weep for you. I really do. May you fight on, may you show the world the true colors of your enemies, may your struggles open the eyes of those who sleep and uncover the evil that seeks to destroy us all. Actions speek louder than words. May your actions call us to arms to fight for freedom and democracy and for our God. God be with you Georgia.

Posted by An American | 12.08.08, 03:50 GMT

Oh ye of little insight. The distractions of war in the name of anything is almost always a slight-of-hand from the real issue. Oil, money and control. Oil means money, money means control. In the big picture we have the former giant who lost control for lack of money. That was when oil was at a much lower price and the giant USSR could not maintain control over its empire or its captive people. Now, is a different story. Money is pouring into the registries of anyone who can produce it or have a stake in its transport. In the bigger scheme of things, the giant wants its power and its control back over the regions that broke away from it in its time of weakness. The real hand of the Putin-Russian plan is coming into view. Support the insurgents in South Ossetia, wait for Georgian reaction, then pounce on Georgia and remove the entire government or destroy it. Next, Azerbaijan, and the oil, (Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan pipeline) is theirs. Georgia is a stepping stone. Wake up!

Posted by terrence | 11.08.08, 19:19 GMT

where is the money and aid being offered to the south ossetian people from the western world............ oooops thats right, there is none because the western world is puppets to america and wont stand up and say america is WRONG and that they started all this. remember people there is 30000 people on russian borders now with out homes and unfortunately without some of their family and no one has offered them help only russia!!! but of course georgia gets everything including SYMPATHY, catch a grip people and call this another american campaign for oil. russia has all my support and shouldn't stand down to americas bullying tactics. come on russia don't let the motherland down .

Posted by glen northern ireland | 11.08.08, 18:12 GMT

Georgia attacked first- Russia needs to teach them a lesson, and it won't happen again. You reap what you sow. Maybe Georgia will learn to mind the own business and not to annoy Russia. It is certainly no other country's business now. If it was, then America and Uk should get out of all the countries they are in. I don't think Russia will lose this time around.

Posted by Mark | 11.08.08, 17:16 GMT

"Find who's in gain".
Who is in profit in this situation?
Georgian president gains international publicity that he hope will help him be accepted by NATO. BY ANY MEANS.
AMERICA gains raising dollar, McCain's rating and new oil resources. US DOESN'T CARE of dying people somewhere far distant, of democracy, that bla-bla is to brainwash the american society.
RUSSIA GAINS NOTHING FROM THIS WAR except international scandal and humiliation by american and european mass media.
That doll play was definitely written in Washington, d.c., and Saakhashvili is a trained puppet.

Posted by NightOwl, p.h.d. | 11.08.08, 17:08 GMT

USA should be doing this, not opposing it. There is NO WAR between Russia and Georgia. Simply because they are no match. Georgia committed crime, when entered territory of South Osetia and should be punished for that as Irak was for attacking Kuwait. (there was oil though)

Posted by john | 11.08.08, 16:31 GMT

when georgian solders started killing people of osetia and russian mission in osetia ( 08/08/2008 not yesterday!) nobody payed attention, they have killed 1800 people and nobody did hear when russia asked EU for help. EU keeped silence. Why? Because they were watching show in Bejing?They were busy? and now when russia protects osetian and russian people, you say russia is AGRESSOR. and what about georgian solders who killed women and children, they take girls and women whith them..why?what for? did you asked osetian people, mothers and wifes whose sons and husbands were killed ?who helped them now?america?EU?not ever a penny they gave them..i hope you will hear the people of osetia, because only they can tell us the true.

Posted by anastasia | 11.08.08, 14:59 GMT

It's not a weapon war (if it was so Russia'd win @ 8/8/2008) but mass media war. My friend's parents (i am Russian) are lost in Georgia now. They just stopped answering phone... they were in vocation there. Quite dumb of them to go there. From the other hand none of georgian people in russia were hurt for war-reason... None of them were called as a agressor or treated some other way. It's obvious who is real hater and agressor here.

Posted by AlVin, Petrozavodsk, Russia | 11.08.08, 14:17 GMT

On March 17, 2008 my new children's book THE BANJO & THE TELESCOPE came out from Publish America. I wrote it in English and a very dear friend translated it into Russian, so children can read it in both languages (English & Russian). That dear friend came to America from Georgia. He has family there. This book was written to encourage friendship by and between people who are very different from one another. It could not be more timely. It is my hope that it will encourage children to learn a second language, which will improve international communications. Improved communications will help us solve problems. Perhaps someday we will out grown the need for war! I sure hope so. Our prayers go out to the people of Russia and Georgia. Richard A. Payne

Posted by Richard A. Payne | 11.08.08, 14:04 GMT