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Russia strikes Georgian capital
Monday, 11 August 2008
AP
An unidentified Georgian woman cries in the town of Gori, Georgia, just outside the breakaway province of South Ossetia, Monday, Aug. 11, 2008
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Georgia's appeal for a ceasefire seemed to have fallen on deaf ears last night as Russian jets expanded their bombardment, targeting the capital, Tbilisi, for the first time.
As the world's diplomats hurried to contain the violence and prevent the conflict engulfing the wider Caucasus region, Russia made clear it no longer considered Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili a partner, prompting accusations from his main ally, the United States, that Moscow was resisting peace and wanted regime change.
Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman Temur Yakobashvili said Russian tanks tried to cross from South Ossetia into Georgia-controlled territory but claimed they had been forced to turn back by its forces. The tanks were apparently trying to approach Gori, a city of about 50,000 that sits on Georgia's only significant east-west highway, he said. Thousands of people were said to be fleeing ahead of the Russian advance.
Russia has made no secret of its dislike for Mr Saakashvili, his alliance with Washington, his attempts to join Nato and his oft-repeated pledges to bring two separatist provinces back under Tbilisi's control – a pledge he tried to make good on Thursday by sending troops into South Ossetia.
The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, condemned the Georgian leader last night, saying: "A man who issued orders to commit war crimes which resulted in thousands of deaths of peaceful civilians cannot be viewed by Russia as a partner."
Underscoring the magnitude of the problem facing Georgia, Moscow-backed separatists in its other breakaway region, Abkhazia, declared they had opened a second front. Maxim Gunjia, the separatists' deputy foreign minister, said his tiny air force was bombing Georgian positions in the contested Kodori Gorge and that about 1,000 troops had also been deployed. "We have started operations because we saw the Georgian attack on South Ossetia and knew Abkhazia would be next," Mr Gunjia said from the Abkhaz capital, Sukhumi, a town of ramshackle beach bars, palm trees and buildings gutted in a 1992-93 war of independence against Tbilisi's forces.
Tbilisi accused Moscow of shipping 4,000 soldiers to the port of Ochamchire in Abkhazia. But Abkhaz officials insisted they were fighting on their own.
Georgia announced that it had pulled its troops out of South Ossetia and Mr Saakashvili said his government had been trying "all day" to contact Russia to discuss a ceasefire. "Georgia expresses its readiness to immediately start negotiations with the Russian Federation on a ceasefire and termination of hostilities," a statement said. Mr Saakashvili said he believed Russia intended to take over his country to secure energy supply routes from central Asia. Russian planes were reported last night to have dropped bombs near a British-operated oil pipeline south of Tbilisi, although it was not damaged.
Russia said it was sceptical of the Georgian claims of a withdrawal. "We must check all that. We don't trust the Georgian side," said Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, Grigory Karasin. Moscow wants Georgia to rule out using force in future.
Georgia's ceasefire came on a day of claim and counterclaim, but a day when the military might of an angry Russian bear was on full display. As well as the bombing in and around the Georgian capital, including one explosion just metres from the main runway at Tbilisi airport, there were reports of explosions in the western town of Zugdidi. Meanwhile, dozens of Russian tanks and military vehicles headed for the two-mile Roki tunnel, which leads from Russian-held North Ossetia into the separatist South.
Russia's navy also entered the conflict, deploying a flotilla off Georgia's Black Sea coast. There were reports that they would mount a blockade, snuffing out supply lines for weapons, oil and wheat – a charge denied by Moscow. Unconfirmed reports late last night said the Russian war ships had sunk a Georgian vessel.
In the South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali, the human suffering in the wake of the Georgian attack and Russian counter-attack was horrifyingly evident. Corpses were dotted about the city, burnt-out tanks littered the roads, and every other building showed bomb or mortar damage, with many simply smouldering ruins. Where once 10,000 people had roamed, there was barely a soul. Many residents have fled across the border into North Ossetia, and those left were the walking wounded, some heavily bandaged, others limping along on crutches.
Russian television spoke of a "humanitarian catastrophe" in South Ossetia, with more than 2,000 people dead and thousands homeless. President Dmitry Medvedev – who has largely taken a back seat to the Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, who sped from Beijing to North Ossetia on Saturday – termed the Georgian action a "genocide" and ordered officials to document the crimes.
A Georgian government source said 130 Georgian civilians and soldiers had been killed and 1,165 wounded, many by Russian bombing inside Georgia. Russia denied attacking civilian targets.
Mr Gunjia said Georgia had sparked a "chain reaction" by attacking South Ossetia. "It's no longer possible to listen to Georgia talk about a peaceful solution in South Ossetia or Abkhazia, or offer us autonomy. Georgia has shown its real face."
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Comments
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
73 Comments