17:00, 1 August 2009

Russia threatens Georgia with use of force

Today, the Russian Ministry of Defence has stated that Russia will use force to defend residents of South Ossetia and Russian soldiers from Georgia's provocations.

The Ministry has noted that in the period from July 29 till August 1 Tskhinvali was shelled several times from mortars and grenade launchers. The statement says that the target was the observation post of armed forces of the Republic South Ossetia, "which evidences a provocative character of the action."

"The events in August 2008 followed a similar scenario, which resulted in Georgia's military aggression against South Ossetia and attack on the Russian peacemaking contingent," runs the statement of Russia's MoD, as quoted by the ITAR-TASS.

Georgia rejects charges of provocation. Mikhail Machavariani, vice-speaker of the Georgian parliament, has stated that "Russia itself prepares provocations, wishing to destabilize the situation and resume warfare in the region," the "Echo Moskvy" Radio reports.