23:30
• ‘No threat to Tbilisi’ – Saakashvili;
• Russia says it pulled out from Senaki;
President Saakashvili called on the capital city’s population not to panic as there was no threat for Tbilisi “at least till tomorrow.”
“If the capital faces any danger you will know it 12 hours before. It is desirable, if we all stay at home,” he said in a televised address late on August 11.
In a separate statement shortly before, Saakashvili said that the Russian forces had occupied “significant part of Georgia.”
There was a sense of panic in Tbilisi with some trying to flee the capital triggering huge queues at the patrol stations.
“The enemy forces have no such resources to occupy the capital,” Saakashvili said. “It is very important to avoid a sense of panic, because it may create more problems.”
“I ask you to stay at home,” he said. “Maybe several hundred of people have already left the city, but tell them to come back; it is much safer to stay home.”
Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense official denied reports that the Russian troops were in Gori.
Davit Kezerashvili, the Georgian defense minister, also said that the Russian troops did not enter into Gori; he, however, said “the enemy forces” were in the vicinity of Gori.
Interfax news agency reported 10:50pm local time quoting the Russian Defense Ministry official saying that the Russian forces were pulled out from Senaki, citing that “the threat of Tskhinvali shelling has already been neutralized.”
Russian forces advanced deep into the Georgian territory from breakaway Abkhazia earlier on August 11 taking control of Senaki – a town about 150 kilometers away from breakaway South Ossetia. Georgia’s largest military base is located in Senaki.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Saakashvili Tries to Allay Sense of Panic in Tbilisi
‘Russia Occupies Significant Part of Georgia’ – Saakashvili
21:30
Saakashvili said in a televised address:
• The army should struggle to the end;
• We will never surrender;
• Georgian forces are re-grouping;
Russia took over control of the major highway passing through Gori and “separated the country’s western part from the east,” President Saakashvili said at a session of National Security Council at 8:45pm on August 11.
It was earlier reported that the Russian forces were in control of Gori. The Russian Defense Ministry, however, has denied that its forces were in Gori, Interfax news agency report at 9:15pm.
Russian forces also advanced deep into the Georgian territory from breakaway Abkhazia as well, taking control of Senaki and are now moving further into east. “Situation is extremely grave,” Saakashvili said. “This is occupation attempt, attempt to totally occupy Georgia, attempt to destroy Georgia.”
“Russia’s goal is to put an end to existence of the Georgian state,” he added.
“We are receiving only moral and humanitarian help from the international community, but we need more than that. We want them to stop these barbaric aggressors.”
“Our armed forces will carry out regrouping and we will protect and continue fighting for our future… We will never surrender, we will never say no to freedom and our future; we will never kneel down.”
“Russia’s goal is to trigger panic and chaos and civil confrontation in Georgia... Do not let the enemy’s major goal be achieved. We should not allow chaos, political confrontation.”
He also called on the population to gather outside the Parliament at 3pm on August 12 “to show the enemy that we are united and strong.”
Saakashvili said in a televised address:
• The army should struggle to the end;
• We will never surrender;
• Georgian forces are re-grouping;
Russia took over control of the major highway passing through Gori and “separated the country’s western part from the east,” President Saakashvili said at a session of National Security Council at 8:45pm on August 11.
It was earlier reported that the Russian forces were in control of Gori. The Russian Defense Ministry, however, has denied that its forces were in Gori, Interfax news agency report at 9:15pm.
Russian forces also advanced deep into the Georgian territory from breakaway Abkhazia as well, taking control of Senaki and are now moving further into east. “Situation is extremely grave,” Saakashvili said. “This is occupation attempt, attempt to totally occupy Georgia, attempt to destroy Georgia.”
“Russia’s goal is to put an end to existence of the Georgian state,” he added.
“We are receiving only moral and humanitarian help from the international community, but we need more than that. We want them to stop these barbaric aggressors.”
“Our armed forces will carry out regrouping and we will protect and continue fighting for our future… We will never surrender, we will never say no to freedom and our future; we will never kneel down.”
“Russia’s goal is to trigger panic and chaos and civil confrontation in Georgia... Do not let the enemy’s major goal be achieved. We should not allow chaos, political confrontation.”
He also called on the population to gather outside the Parliament at 3pm on August 12 “to show the enemy that we are united and strong.”
Russian Forces Take Over Major Highway, Continue Advancing
21:03
Russia took over control of the major highway passing through Gori and “split the country’s western part with the east,” President Saakashvili said at a session of National Security Council at 8:45pm on August 11.
It was earlier reported that the Russian forces were in control of Gori.
Russian forces also advanced deep into the Georgian territory from breakaway Abkhazia as well taking control of Senaki and are now moving further into east from Senaki.
“Situation is extremely grave,” Saakashvili said. “This is occupation attempt, attempt to totally occupy Georgia, attempt to destroy Georgia.”
“Russia goal is to put an end to existence of the Georgian state,” he added.
“We are receiving only moral and humanitarian help from the international community, but we need more than that. We want them to stop this barbaric aggressor.”
Russia took over control of the major highway passing through Gori and “split the country’s western part with the east,” President Saakashvili said at a session of National Security Council at 8:45pm on August 11.
It was earlier reported that the Russian forces were in control of Gori.
Russian forces also advanced deep into the Georgian territory from breakaway Abkhazia as well taking control of Senaki and are now moving further into east from Senaki.
“Situation is extremely grave,” Saakashvili said. “This is occupation attempt, attempt to totally occupy Georgia, attempt to destroy Georgia.”
“Russia goal is to put an end to existence of the Georgian state,” he added.
“We are receiving only moral and humanitarian help from the international community, but we need more than that. We want them to stop this barbaric aggressor.”
Russia Says Senaki Takeover Part of Peacemaking Operation
19:41
Russia said it has sent troops deep into the Georgian territory in Senaki as part of its “peace enforcement” operation in South Ossetia.
Senaki is 210 kilometers west of Tbilisi, close to the Abkhaz administrative border. The town is over 100 kilometers away from Tskhinvali, the capital of breakaway South Ossetia – far from the conflict zone. Georgia’s major military base is located in Senaki.
“The move is undertaken in an attempt to prevent shelling of South Ossetia by the Georgian armed forces and to prevent Georgia to carry out re-grouping of its forces, as well as to prevent mobilization of additional armed formations and reserve troops, mobilized by Mikheil Saakashvili for continuation of the military actions,” Interfax news agency reported quoting the Russian MoD representative.
Russia said it has sent troops deep into the Georgian territory in Senaki as part of its “peace enforcement” operation in South Ossetia.
Senaki is 210 kilometers west of Tbilisi, close to the Abkhaz administrative border. The town is over 100 kilometers away from Tskhinvali, the capital of breakaway South Ossetia – far from the conflict zone. Georgia’s major military base is located in Senaki.
“The move is undertaken in an attempt to prevent shelling of South Ossetia by the Georgian armed forces and to prevent Georgia to carry out re-grouping of its forces, as well as to prevent mobilization of additional armed formations and reserve troops, mobilized by Mikheil Saakashvili for continuation of the military actions,” Interfax news agency reported quoting the Russian MoD representative.
Russian Forces Advance Deep into Georgia to Senaki
18:51
Russia forces have advanced from Abkhazia deep into Georgian territory in the direction of Senaki, a town in western Georgia and the host of a major Georgian military base.
An eyewitness told Civil.Ge he had seen a Russian military convoy of about 100 armored vehicles of various types passing the town of Khobi, close to Senaki.
"The armored vehicles did not have any peacekeeping forces identification logo," he said by phone. "Combat helicopters were flying over the convoy. I' saw UNOMIG, as well as Georgian police, vehicles accompanying the convoy."
Meanwhile, The Associated Press reported the Georgian MoD official as saying that the Russian forces were in control of the Senaki military base.
No clashes were reported.
Russia forces have advanced from Abkhazia deep into Georgian territory in the direction of Senaki, a town in western Georgia and the host of a major Georgian military base.
An eyewitness told Civil.Ge he had seen a Russian military convoy of about 100 armored vehicles of various types passing the town of Khobi, close to Senaki.
"The armored vehicles did not have any peacekeeping forces identification logo," he said by phone. "Combat helicopters were flying over the convoy. I' saw UNOMIG, as well as Georgian police, vehicles accompanying the convoy."
Meanwhile, The Associated Press reported the Georgian MoD official as saying that the Russian forces were in control of the Senaki military base.
No clashes were reported.
Saakashvili Addresses Nation
18:22
President Saakashvili said in his live televised address to the nation this evening: “Our future and liberty is under attack… This is war and we have losses, but the enemy has even more serous losses… We will defend our freedom, our homeland to the last drop of blood.”
Below is the transcript of the Saakashvili’s address:
Dear compatriots! In this very important, decisive and difficult period for our country, I want to describe the current situation and tell you about the ways of helping the country out of this situation.
First of all, I want to tell you that what is happening now against Georgia is obviously a military intervention planned months or years ago, which aims, at least, to occupy or annex South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and as a final result, to occupy entire Georgia.
That intervention force, which entered Georgia, is very big, very serious and of course, it contains a fatal threat to Georgian statehood. Today the freedom and future of each of us is under huge threat. An attempt of repeated occupation and enslavement of Georgia, depriving our country of its independence is underway. No doubt that it is real, against the background of the latest statements.
If previously they said that they responded to the operation launched by us in South Ossetia – and you know that we have not launched anything until the last minute – yesterday and the day before yesterday official statements were made that the operation aimed at changing the Georgian authorities, changing Georgia’s course. It is translated from their language as the end to Georgia’s independence. Attacks are carried out against the Kodori gorge in Upper Abkhazia, attacks are carried in the direction of Abkhazia and Samegrelo. Yesterday there was an attempt to occupy Gori, which was repelled by our armed forces. I want to say that our armed forces are fighting very well.
Their morale is increasing. Of course, I regret greatly and this is war. Of course, we have casualties, but our enemies have much more casualties. I declare this based on their sources. But this is a very serious test and in reality the success of our forces is based on their unimaginable heroism. Our enemies did not expect – and they themselves said this in an official statement that they came across the resistance of the Georgian armed forces which was 12 fold more than they imagined.
But I want to say with full responsibility that we want to immediately end this military confrontation, we want to end the war, which we have not launched, we want to stop Russia’s intervention. We are ready and I have confirmed my support to the plan of French President Sarkozy and Foreign Minister Kouchner. Kouchner was here; President Sarkozy will arrive tomorrow. We are ready to immediately sign an agreement on ceasefire and non-resumption of confrontation.
We are expecting the visits of several European leaders, tomorrow. As I already said, President Sarkozy will arrive. Many European ministers are presently visiting Georgia. Today a great amount of humanitarian aid will start arriving from the entire world. The first planes from France will land within two hours and others will arrive afterwards, including from Turkey, Ukraine, Germany, Denmark, other European states.
I want to tell those people, who have left the conflict zone – we will return you all and until this conflict is over, I gave the strictest instructions, not to leave even one person without attention. I want to say that of course, there was chaos within the first hours, we were not prepared for it and they attacked us treacherously. If you remember, I was constantly increasing the military budget and many used to say, why he is doing that - just for this occasion, for this unfortunate day. We failed to increase it as much as I wanted.
It is not worth saying but if we had not lost time on inner confrontation last autumn, we would have been much better prepared. But today we are well-prepared and we have the motivation to defend our country, to save the independence and statehood of our country, to save the future of each of us, to give a proper response to our enemies.
I want to say with full responsibility, we should save our country ourselves. Nobody else will be able to do it. Of course, international support is important, international diplomatic involvement is decisive, but if we are not very mobilized, if we do not show heroism, if we do not resist this huge brutal force, without our dedication Georgia will not be able to stop this confrontation.
All what is happening now – bombings, especially those of civilian facilities, at night, shelling - has the only objective, to demoralize our society, to seed panic in the society.
I want to thank everybody, those tens of thousands of Tbilisites, who came out in the streets last night and expressed their huge support towards Georgian statehood. I want to thank those people – I traveled from the east to the west and back – although Russian aircraft were flying above us and although the highway was shelled during our movement, I saw Georgian national flags flying on cars and I saw Georgian flags flying on balconies - this is our response, our unity, our bravery, our endurance, and we will certainly liberate the entire Georgia. This is what is happening now, this is Georgia’s struggle for national liberation, this is a response to the war imposed on Georgia, a response by the Georgian society’s resistance, the Georgian society’s heroism in order to maintain liberty, statehood, and the future of our children. The officials of foreign countries should never define the future of our children.
The future of our children and our country should be ruled by the democratic government elected by the Georgian society, which will act in the interests of the people, in the interests of multi-ethnic society, and will never dance to other’s tune and the time will never come, when we clean the shoes of foreign officials. We helped Georgia up from its knees within the last few years. We should not allow anybody to make us kneel again. Georgia should find its way out of this situation. Georgia should manage to restore peace and to establish good relations, including with Russians, who attacked us.
I also want to address the Russian public – of course, all media outlets are blocked now, but information is leaking out – we do not fight with the Russian people. We are not angry with the Russian society. Much injustice has been carried out against Georgia, against each Georgian. But the time will come - I am sure - when we will have very good relations again. But we will defend the freedom of our country, the independence of our country – with our teeth, to the last drop of blood. God bless each of us. God bless the freedom of Georgia. God bless our soldiers, our heroes. Long live Georgia.
President Saakashvili said in his live televised address to the nation this evening: “Our future and liberty is under attack… This is war and we have losses, but the enemy has even more serous losses… We will defend our freedom, our homeland to the last drop of blood.”
Below is the transcript of the Saakashvili’s address:
Dear compatriots! In this very important, decisive and difficult period for our country, I want to describe the current situation and tell you about the ways of helping the country out of this situation.
First of all, I want to tell you that what is happening now against Georgia is obviously a military intervention planned months or years ago, which aims, at least, to occupy or annex South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and as a final result, to occupy entire Georgia.
That intervention force, which entered Georgia, is very big, very serious and of course, it contains a fatal threat to Georgian statehood. Today the freedom and future of each of us is under huge threat. An attempt of repeated occupation and enslavement of Georgia, depriving our country of its independence is underway. No doubt that it is real, against the background of the latest statements.
If previously they said that they responded to the operation launched by us in South Ossetia – and you know that we have not launched anything until the last minute – yesterday and the day before yesterday official statements were made that the operation aimed at changing the Georgian authorities, changing Georgia’s course. It is translated from their language as the end to Georgia’s independence. Attacks are carried out against the Kodori gorge in Upper Abkhazia, attacks are carried in the direction of Abkhazia and Samegrelo. Yesterday there was an attempt to occupy Gori, which was repelled by our armed forces. I want to say that our armed forces are fighting very well.
Their morale is increasing. Of course, I regret greatly and this is war. Of course, we have casualties, but our enemies have much more casualties. I declare this based on their sources. But this is a very serious test and in reality the success of our forces is based on their unimaginable heroism. Our enemies did not expect – and they themselves said this in an official statement that they came across the resistance of the Georgian armed forces which was 12 fold more than they imagined.
But I want to say with full responsibility that we want to immediately end this military confrontation, we want to end the war, which we have not launched, we want to stop Russia’s intervention. We are ready and I have confirmed my support to the plan of French President Sarkozy and Foreign Minister Kouchner. Kouchner was here; President Sarkozy will arrive tomorrow. We are ready to immediately sign an agreement on ceasefire and non-resumption of confrontation.
We are expecting the visits of several European leaders, tomorrow. As I already said, President Sarkozy will arrive. Many European ministers are presently visiting Georgia. Today a great amount of humanitarian aid will start arriving from the entire world. The first planes from France will land within two hours and others will arrive afterwards, including from Turkey, Ukraine, Germany, Denmark, other European states.
I want to tell those people, who have left the conflict zone – we will return you all and until this conflict is over, I gave the strictest instructions, not to leave even one person without attention. I want to say that of course, there was chaos within the first hours, we were not prepared for it and they attacked us treacherously. If you remember, I was constantly increasing the military budget and many used to say, why he is doing that - just for this occasion, for this unfortunate day. We failed to increase it as much as I wanted.
It is not worth saying but if we had not lost time on inner confrontation last autumn, we would have been much better prepared. But today we are well-prepared and we have the motivation to defend our country, to save the independence and statehood of our country, to save the future of each of us, to give a proper response to our enemies.
I want to say with full responsibility, we should save our country ourselves. Nobody else will be able to do it. Of course, international support is important, international diplomatic involvement is decisive, but if we are not very mobilized, if we do not show heroism, if we do not resist this huge brutal force, without our dedication Georgia will not be able to stop this confrontation.
All what is happening now – bombings, especially those of civilian facilities, at night, shelling - has the only objective, to demoralize our society, to seed panic in the society.
I want to thank everybody, those tens of thousands of Tbilisites, who came out in the streets last night and expressed their huge support towards Georgian statehood. I want to thank those people – I traveled from the east to the west and back – although Russian aircraft were flying above us and although the highway was shelled during our movement, I saw Georgian national flags flying on cars and I saw Georgian flags flying on balconies - this is our response, our unity, our bravery, our endurance, and we will certainly liberate the entire Georgia. This is what is happening now, this is Georgia’s struggle for national liberation, this is a response to the war imposed on Georgia, a response by the Georgian society’s resistance, the Georgian society’s heroism in order to maintain liberty, statehood, and the future of our children. The officials of foreign countries should never define the future of our children.
The future of our children and our country should be ruled by the democratic government elected by the Georgian society, which will act in the interests of the people, in the interests of multi-ethnic society, and will never dance to other’s tune and the time will never come, when we clean the shoes of foreign officials. We helped Georgia up from its knees within the last few years. We should not allow anybody to make us kneel again. Georgia should find its way out of this situation. Georgia should manage to restore peace and to establish good relations, including with Russians, who attacked us.
I also want to address the Russian public – of course, all media outlets are blocked now, but information is leaking out – we do not fight with the Russian people. We are not angry with the Russian society. Much injustice has been carried out against Georgia, against each Georgian. But the time will come - I am sure - when we will have very good relations again. But we will defend the freedom of our country, the independence of our country – with our teeth, to the last drop of blood. God bless each of us. God bless the freedom of Georgia. God bless our soldiers, our heroes. Long live Georgia.
President Sarkozy to Visit Georgia – Saakashvili
18:09
French President Nikola Sarkozy plans to arrive in Georgia on August 12, President Saakashvili said.
French President Nikola Sarkozy plans to arrive in Georgia on August 12, President Saakashvili said.
Georgia Claims Shooting Down Russian Jet
17:50
Georgian said its air defense system shot down one Russian aircraft after it flew over Gori at the time when President Saakashvili was visiting Gori accompanying the Finnish and French Foreign Ministers.
President Saakashvili’s security guard had to drive him away from Gori immediately after they heard a fighter jet overflying the town, which was bombed by the Russian aircraft for several times in recent days.
CNN and BBC World aired footage showing President Saakashvili in a bulletproof jacket suddenly looking up into the sky; his bodyguards grab him and put him down on the ground and shielding him with their bodies and additional bulletproofs. Seconds later the president’s security guard escorted him to a standing vehicle and drove away.
Shota Utiashvili, the Georgian Interior Ministry’s spokesman, said that two aircrafts flew over Gori and one of them was shot down bringing total number of Russian warplanes and helicopters downed by the Georgian forces to 19.
Russian Defense Ministry said four of its warplanes were shot down.
Georgian said its air defense system shot down one Russian aircraft after it flew over Gori at the time when President Saakashvili was visiting Gori accompanying the Finnish and French Foreign Ministers.
President Saakashvili’s security guard had to drive him away from Gori immediately after they heard a fighter jet overflying the town, which was bombed by the Russian aircraft for several times in recent days.
CNN and BBC World aired footage showing President Saakashvili in a bulletproof jacket suddenly looking up into the sky; his bodyguards grab him and put him down on the ground and shielding him with their bodies and additional bulletproofs. Seconds later the president’s security guard escorted him to a standing vehicle and drove away.
Shota Utiashvili, the Georgian Interior Ministry’s spokesman, said that two aircrafts flew over Gori and one of them was shot down bringing total number of Russian warplanes and helicopters downed by the Georgian forces to 19.
Russian Defense Ministry said four of its warplanes were shot down.
17:25
Russian Forces in Zugdidi
Abkhaz militia take control over a Georgian village at the ceasefire line, the Georgian official said.
Russian forces are in control of Zugdidi, a town on the Georgian side of the Abkhaz ceasefire line, the Georgian authorities said.
“The so called Russian peacekeeping forces [stationed in the conflict zone], as well as Russia’s regular army units entered into Zugdidi and they now control the local police headquarters,” Shota Utiashvili, a spokesman of the Georgian Interior Ministry, said at 5pm local time on August 11.
He also said that in parallel the Abkhaz militias took control over Khurcha, the Georgian-administered village at the administrative border with Abkhazia.
“Russians are now patrolling Zugdidi,” Utiashvili said. “There were no clashes there [in Zugdidi].”
President Saakashvili said while speaking at a news conference in Tbilisi at 5:15pm local time that the Russian troops “invaded” Zugdidi.
Zugdidi is within the 12-km security zone – a buffer zone between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides – which is monitored by the Russian peacekeeping troops stationed there under the CIS aegis.
Russian Forces in Zugdidi
Abkhaz militia take control over a Georgian village at the ceasefire line, the Georgian official said.
Russian forces are in control of Zugdidi, a town on the Georgian side of the Abkhaz ceasefire line, the Georgian authorities said.
“The so called Russian peacekeeping forces [stationed in the conflict zone], as well as Russia’s regular army units entered into Zugdidi and they now control the local police headquarters,” Shota Utiashvili, a spokesman of the Georgian Interior Ministry, said at 5pm local time on August 11.
He also said that in parallel the Abkhaz militias took control over Khurcha, the Georgian-administered village at the administrative border with Abkhazia.
“Russians are now patrolling Zugdidi,” Utiashvili said. “There were no clashes there [in Zugdidi].”
President Saakashvili said while speaking at a news conference in Tbilisi at 5:15pm local time that the Russian troops “invaded” Zugdidi.
Zugdidi is within the 12-km security zone – a buffer zone between the Georgian and Abkhaz sides – which is monitored by the Russian peacekeeping troops stationed there under the CIS aegis.
15:03
Georgia Agrees to European-Brokered Ceasefire
‘Now we have to convince Russia’ – the French FM said.
President Saakashvili said on August 11 he had signed a ceasefire deal proposed by senior European envoys.
French and Finnish Foreign Ministers Bernard Kouchner and Alexander Stubb, respectively, met Saakashvili overnight and again early on August 11, before traveling to Moscow.
"We have to convince our Russian friends as we have convinced our Georgian friends here," Kouchner said in a live interview with BBC World from Tbilisi after meeting with President Saakashvili.
When asked what would be his and the Finnish foreign minister's message to Moscow, Kouchner responded: "Peace; stop the bleeding."
"It was the duty of the European Union to stop this bloody killing just at the door of the European Union," the French foreign minister, whose country holds the EU rotating presidency, said.
The Finnish foreign minister, who holds the OSCE rotating chairmanship, was more optimistic "than I was yesterday."
"We need a ceasefire and after that we need withdrawal of troops and after that we can move towards peace negotiations," he told BBC World.
He re-iterated President George W. Bush's call for a return to the status quo ante of August 6.
"We will start with a ceasefire; we will work on the humanitarian aid side, because there are people in need on both sides," Stubb said. He added that only then would it be possible to think about a possible peacekeeping format.
"I can not say that it will be ended today, but I am optimistic that in the near future we will come into solution; whether it happens today, tomorrow or day after tomorrow – I do not think anyone knows at this stage," he said. "We have a good start here in Tbilisi and time to move on to Moscow, let's see what they have to say."
The two foreign ministers are due to visit the Georgian town of Gori, close to the South Ossetian conflict zone. The town has been subject to repeated Russian aerial attacks in the last few days.
13:44
Russia Says Four of its Jets Downed, 18 Soldiers Killed
18 Russian servicemen were killed and four military aircraft downed during the clashes with the Georgian forces in the South Ossetian conflict zone, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
The Georgian side claims to have downed 12 Russian jets.
Russia Says Four of its Jets Downed, 18 Soldiers Killed
18 Russian servicemen were killed and four military aircraft downed during the clashes with the Georgian forces in the South Ossetian conflict zone, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
The Georgian side claims to have downed 12 Russian jets.
13:15
Medvedev: Peacemaking Operation Almost Completed
Russian President Dimitri Medvedev said that, what he called, Russian peacekeepers had almost completed their "peace enforcement operation in Georgia," Interfax news agency reported on August 11.
"The task of forcing the Georgian side, the Georgian authorities, to [accept] peace in South Ossetia has almost been achieved. Tskhinvali is under the control of the reinforced Russian peacekeeping contingent," Medvedev said at a meeting with PM Putin, as well as members of the general staff of the Russian armed forces.
"We – I mean the Russian peacekeepers – will take all further necessary measures to protect the lives and dignity of Russian citizens," he added.
President Medvedev told his French counterpart Nikola Sarkozy during a phone conversation on August 10 that Georgia’s moves had ruined process of peace settlement of the South Ossetian conflict.
“From the political point of view Georgia’s aggression has ruined the process of searching of the peaceful solution for the Georgian-Ossetian problem. As a result Georgia has hit an irreparable damage to its territorial integrity,” the Kremlin reported quoting President Medvedev.
Medvedev: Peacemaking Operation Almost Completed
Russian President Dimitri Medvedev said that, what he called, Russian peacekeepers had almost completed their "peace enforcement operation in Georgia," Interfax news agency reported on August 11.
"The task of forcing the Georgian side, the Georgian authorities, to [accept] peace in South Ossetia has almost been achieved. Tskhinvali is under the control of the reinforced Russian peacekeeping contingent," Medvedev said at a meeting with PM Putin, as well as members of the general staff of the Russian armed forces.
"We – I mean the Russian peacekeepers – will take all further necessary measures to protect the lives and dignity of Russian citizens," he added.
President Medvedev told his French counterpart Nikola Sarkozy during a phone conversation on August 10 that Georgia’s moves had ruined process of peace settlement of the South Ossetian conflict.
“From the political point of view Georgia’s aggression has ruined the process of searching of the peaceful solution for the Georgian-Ossetian problem. As a result Georgia has hit an irreparable damage to its territorial integrity,” the Kremlin reported quoting President Medvedev.
12:10
More Flee Conflict Zone
Hundreds of people, having fled Georgian villages in the South Ossetian conflict zone, gathered this morning outside Tbilisi City Hall, hoping to get shelter.
“We fled our village at 2am, taking nothing with us,” a woman outside the mayor’s office told Civil.Ge.
She said she was from the village of Kordi, which is about seven kilometres from the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali. “Georgian villages [in the conflict zone] are almost empty. The wing of a downed jet is now in my backyard. It is impossible to live there now.”
The number of displaced persons in Georgia proper and South Ossetia is estimated to be between 10,000 and 20,000, according to UNHCR.
“The Georgians have said that 2,400 people have fled into Georgia proper, but our representative there believes the figure is substantially higher,” Reuters reported, quoting UNHCR spokesman Ron Redmond as saying.
More Flee Conflict Zone
Hundreds of people, having fled Georgian villages in the South Ossetian conflict zone, gathered this morning outside Tbilisi City Hall, hoping to get shelter.
“We fled our village at 2am, taking nothing with us,” a woman outside the mayor’s office told Civil.Ge.
She said she was from the village of Kordi, which is about seven kilometres from the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali. “Georgian villages [in the conflict zone] are almost empty. The wing of a downed jet is now in my backyard. It is impossible to live there now.”
The number of displaced persons in Georgia proper and South Ossetia is estimated to be between 10,000 and 20,000, according to UNHCR.
“The Georgians have said that 2,400 people have fled into Georgia proper, but our representative there believes the figure is substantially higher,” Reuters reported, quoting UNHCR spokesman Ron Redmond as saying.
11:20
Timeline of Overnight Attacks
An official Georgian government account of overnight Russian air strikes across the country.
August 11
07:15 - Senaki airport is bombed by Russian airplanes.
06:10 - A tank battalion in Gori is bombed. A civilian apartment block nearby is hit.
05:00 - Shiraki airfield in Dedoplistskaro district in the east of the country is bombed by Russian jets.
04:37 – A civilian radar station in the village of Leninisi, five kilometres from downtown Tbilisi, is targeted in an air strike.
03:05 – The villages of Sharabidzeebi, Kapandichi, Makho near Batumi are bombed by Russian planes. A graveyard and a villager’s backyard are hit. No casualties are reported.
00:30 - Civilian radar station in the village of Shavshvebi west of Gori is bombed by Russian planes.
00:00 - Five wounded policemen transported to Zugdidi hospital from upper Kodori Gorge.
August 10
20:00 - Positional fighting near the village of Kvabchara in upper Kodori Gorge.
19:10 - TbilAviaMsheni aviation factory bombed by Russian planes again.
19:05 - Russian planes bomb Tbilisi International Airport.
18:00 – The Black Sea town of Anaklia, 280 kilometres from Tbilisi, is bombed by Russian airplanes. No casualties are reported
Timeline of Overnight Attacks
An official Georgian government account of overnight Russian air strikes across the country.
August 11
07:15 - Senaki airport is bombed by Russian airplanes.
06:10 - A tank battalion in Gori is bombed. A civilian apartment block nearby is hit.
05:00 - Shiraki airfield in Dedoplistskaro district in the east of the country is bombed by Russian jets.
04:37 – A civilian radar station in the village of Leninisi, five kilometres from downtown Tbilisi, is targeted in an air strike.
03:05 – The villages of Sharabidzeebi, Kapandichi, Makho near Batumi are bombed by Russian planes. A graveyard and a villager’s backyard are hit. No casualties are reported.
00:30 - Civilian radar station in the village of Shavshvebi west of Gori is bombed by Russian planes.
00:00 - Five wounded policemen transported to Zugdidi hospital from upper Kodori Gorge.
August 10
20:00 - Positional fighting near the village of Kvabchara in upper Kodori Gorge.
19:10 - TbilAviaMsheni aviation factory bombed by Russian planes again.
19:05 - Russian planes bomb Tbilisi International Airport.
18:00 – The Black Sea town of Anaklia, 280 kilometres from Tbilisi, is bombed by Russian airplanes. No casualties are reported
10:50
Georgian Forces Hold Defensive Positions in South of Conflict Zone – Official
Georgian forces are continuing to reinforce and maintain defensive positions in the south of the South Ossetian conflict zone, despite heavy artillery fire, a Georgian Interior Ministry official has said.
“We have pulled our troops from the conflict zone and now they are deployed in the south of the conflict zone, protecting Georgian villages and towns, although our positions are under attack, including from artillery fire,” Shota Utiashvili, a Ministry spokesman, said at a news conference this morning.
He also said that the Tbilisi-controlled upper Kodori Gorge in breakaway Abkhazia has been under attack all night. “Our forces there are maintaining their positions and are not retreating,” Utiashvili said.
He also said that early this morning in Zugdidi, a Georgian town on the Abkhaz administrative border, the commander of the Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in the conflict zone had demanded that Georgian police surrender their arms. “That will not happen. Our police will remain there,” Utiashvili said.
Georgian Forces Hold Defensive Positions in South of Conflict Zone – Official
Georgian forces are continuing to reinforce and maintain defensive positions in the south of the South Ossetian conflict zone, despite heavy artillery fire, a Georgian Interior Ministry official has said.
“We have pulled our troops from the conflict zone and now they are deployed in the south of the conflict zone, protecting Georgian villages and towns, although our positions are under attack, including from artillery fire,” Shota Utiashvili, a Ministry spokesman, said at a news conference this morning.
He also said that the Tbilisi-controlled upper Kodori Gorge in breakaway Abkhazia has been under attack all night. “Our forces there are maintaining their positions and are not retreating,” Utiashvili said.
He also said that early this morning in Zugdidi, a Georgian town on the Abkhaz administrative border, the commander of the Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in the conflict zone had demanded that Georgian police surrender their arms. “That will not happen. Our police will remain there,” Utiashvili said.
09:45
Overnight Air Strikes Across Georgia
At least six targets across Georgia, including in Adjara and Kakheti regions, were attacked.
The Russian air forces carried out series of strikes mainly on military installation across Georgia.
Sound of two powerful explosions was heard in Tbilisi at 4:40am local time on August 11. A bomb was dropped on the mouth of Makhata in Tbilisi targeting a radar station there. Another bomb was dropped unpopulated area outside the capital city.
Bombs were dropped early this morning in the center of Gori. An apartment building was hit, but no one was injured as many people have already been evacuated from this town, which is close to the breakaway South Ossetia.
Almost at the same time, the Russian warplanes dropped bombs on a runaway of the former military airfield in Dedoplistskaro in the Kakheti region, eastern Georgia. The airfield is not functioning for many years already.
Two bombs have been dropped on the Senaki military base and two others in the vicinity of the base. At least one person was reportedly injured.
An empty patriotic youth camp in Ganmukhuri at the Abkhaz administrative border was also attacked overnight on August 11.
At least three bombs were dropped in the Khelvachauri district of Adjara Autonomous Republic targeting a military unit there. No one was injured, officials said.
“Overnight, as many as 50 Russian bombers were reported operating simultaneously over Georgia, targeting civilian populations in cities and villages, as well as radio and telecommunications sites,” the Georgian government said in a statement this morning.
Series of air strikes came while French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and his Finnish counterpart, Alexander Stubb, are in Tbilisi trying to broker a ceasefire between the Georgian and Russian forces in South Ossetia.
Overnight Air Strikes Across Georgia
At least six targets across Georgia, including in Adjara and Kakheti regions, were attacked.
The Russian air forces carried out series of strikes mainly on military installation across Georgia.
Sound of two powerful explosions was heard in Tbilisi at 4:40am local time on August 11. A bomb was dropped on the mouth of Makhata in Tbilisi targeting a radar station there. Another bomb was dropped unpopulated area outside the capital city.
Bombs were dropped early this morning in the center of Gori. An apartment building was hit, but no one was injured as many people have already been evacuated from this town, which is close to the breakaway South Ossetia.
Almost at the same time, the Russian warplanes dropped bombs on a runaway of the former military airfield in Dedoplistskaro in the Kakheti region, eastern Georgia. The airfield is not functioning for many years already.
Two bombs have been dropped on the Senaki military base and two others in the vicinity of the base. At least one person was reportedly injured.
An empty patriotic youth camp in Ganmukhuri at the Abkhaz administrative border was also attacked overnight on August 11.
At least three bombs were dropped in the Khelvachauri district of Adjara Autonomous Republic targeting a military unit there. No one was injured, officials said.
“Overnight, as many as 50 Russian bombers were reported operating simultaneously over Georgia, targeting civilian populations in cities and villages, as well as radio and telecommunications sites,” the Georgian government said in a statement this morning.
Series of air strikes came while French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and his Finnish counterpart, Alexander Stubb, are in Tbilisi trying to broker a ceasefire between the Georgian and Russian forces in South Ossetia.
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