Russian Combat Aircraft Attacked Georgia: Ministry
Reports from Georgia have suggested that as many as 50 Russian Air Force combat aircraft were active over Georgia over the night of August 10/11th.
"Several dozen Russian bombers are in the Georgian skies and have been attacking throughout the country over the past several hours”, Georgia’s foreign ministry stated, adding: "Overnight, as many as 50 Russian bombers were reported operating simultaneously over Georgia."
Russia, meanwhile, has claimed that Georgian armed forces killed three Russian troops while attacking Tskhinvali – the capital of South Ossetia.
Russian, Georgian Conflict
Conflict between Russia and Georgia broke out on August 7th/8th, with an initial Georgian assault on breakaway region South Ossetia provoking Russia to retaliate militarily.
The reports of a large scale Russian air assault – together with Russia’s latest claims about Georgia – came one day after Georgia pledged to put a ceasefire into effect. Moscow, however, is adamant that Georgia fully retreat from South Ossetia before it ends its assault.
Russian Air Force Attack
Among the targets in Georgia that were said to have been attacked by the Russian Air Force were a radar facility and a missile site.
Speaking at the Beijing Olympics, US President George W. Bush described to NBC Sports how he had conveyed his feelings on the crisis to his former Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
"I was very firm with Vladimir Putin ... I expressed my grave concern about the disproportionate response of Russia", he said, adding: "We strongly condemn bombing outside of South Ossetia."
Russian Tanks, Troops
Ground-based Russian forces – tanks and troops – have now taken control of Tskhinvali after three days of fighting.
No independently-produced statistics related to fatalities or injuries there have been produced but, according to Russia, 2,000 civilians have lost their lives, and thousands more have been displaced.
Armed Forces International will provide further coverage of this intense, military situation as more facts emerge.
Source – Armed Forces International’s East European Correspondent
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