Русская версияWeeks of tension between pro-Western Georgia and rebels in
breakaway South Ossetia which has links with Russia has escalated
into heavy fighting.
Russia says it has sent "reinforcements" into
South Ossetia while Georgia says its forces control Tskhinvali, the
region's capital, after launching an offensive. Witnesses cited by
news agencies say 50 Russian tanks and trucks have entered South
Ossetia. The government of Georgia's pro-Western President Mikhail
Saakashvili claims to have shot down two Russian combat planes over
Georgian territory. Earlier, Russia's defence ministry had denied a
similar report. The United Nations Security Council has expressed
concern over the escalating conflict but failed to endorse a
Russian-sponsored statement urging the two sides to cease
hostilities. The western alliance NATO, the Organisation for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the European Union
have also called for an end to the fighting. German Chancellor
Angela Merkel, whose foreign minister visited the region in July,
has called for an immediate stop to all violence in South Ossetia.
(Deutsche Welle)
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