Georgia: Russia has swept Kodor Gorge

Last night, the Kodor Gorge was subject to air and artillery bombardment, the mass media of Georgia report. According to what they state, two combat helicopters flew into the Kodor Gorge from Russia and opened fire on the territory near the villages of Azhara and Chkhalta.

According to "Rustavi-2" TV Company, houses were ruined in several villages of the Gorge, including the buildings of local administration and police. One of the shells exploded in the school yard. The bombardment lasted for about 25 minutes. According to the TV Company, there were no casualties, since the residents of the Gorge hid themselves in the woods. The shelling was made from howitzer weapons and "Grad" (Hailstones) installations from the direction of Tkvarcheli. There are no casualties or wounded persons among the local population.

The data on bombardment of the Kodor Gorge was confirmed to the "Interfax" at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, where they have stated that investigation of the fact was launched.

Malkhaz Akishbaya, head of the government of Abkhazia in exile, has confirmed the fact of helicopter shelling of several villages of the Gorge. In his words, the helicopter stayed over the villages for 1-1.5 hours. The bombardment was also made presumably from the Tkvarcheli Mountain, the "RBK" informs.

At the same time, Abkhazia has not confirmed the fact of shelling the Gorge from the side of Abkhazia.

The Air Forces of Russia have also denied the Georgian information, the "Gazeta.ru" reports. "Last night, neither aircrafts nor helicopters of the Air Forces of Russia made any flights in the region," Colonel Alexander Drobyshevskiy, assistant of the commander-in-chief of the Air Forces, has asserted.