Русская версияReports from the Caucausus nation of Georgia say Russian fighter
jets have bombed military positions and the town of Gori, outside
of South Ossetia.
Russia says it has taken control of the regional
capital of the breakaway territory, Tskhinvali. Separatist attacks
on Georgian forces have also been reported in the eastern region of
Abkhazia. Russian officials say about 2,000 people have been killed
since hostilities started two days ago, while Georgia puts the
figure at around 200. Speaking in Beijing, US President George W.
Bush called on Moscow to respect Georgia's territory. Russia, which
has taken control of the airspace in the conflict region, blames
Tbilisi for the fighting and has warned NATO against interfering.
France, holder of the rotating EU presidency, has proposed a
three-step plan aimed at ending the hostilities. The crisis
escalated after Russia deployed further troops to support
separatists in South Ossetia against advancing Georgian forces.
Georgia has now declared a "state of war", giving President Mikheil
Saakashvili the right to impose curfews and restrict movement, but
stopping short of martial law.
(Deutsche Welle)
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