STOP Russia

Demonstrators wave Georgian flags while protesting against what they call a Russian intervention in the breakaway Georgian enclave South Ossetia in Tbilisi, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008. Georgia called a cease-fire Sunday and said it was pulling its embattled troops out of the disputed province of South Ossetia, submitting to Russia’s far superior firepower, but Moscow disputed the pullout claim.

Irakli Alasania Provided UN Security Council with Detailed Information regarding Russian Aggression

Irakli Alasania, the permanent representative of Georgia to the EU, provided the Security Council with derailed information regarding the developments in Georgia and called the Council for taking efficacious steps to stop the occupation of Georgia.

‘During the last 12 hours, Russia continiues brutal bombing of the country. Russian land forces annihilate the population and occupy the country. Russia has reinforced its warlike equipments .Our forces are stationed far away from the conflict zone. Russian fighter jets bomb the territory of Georgia.’- stated Irakli Alasania.

Georgian breakaway city in ruins

TSKHINVALI, South Ossetia (CNN) — Tskhinvali, the capital of the separatist Georgian province of South Ossetia, lay in smoldering ruins Sunday after three days of fighting between Georgian troops and Russian forces.

1 of 2 more photos » Each side accused the other of killing large numbers of civilians. Russia said at least 2,000 people have been killed in Tskhinvali.

The conflict, which started in South Ossetia last week, was raging in other parts of Georgia as well, including another breakaway area, Abkhazia, located in northwestern Georgia.

Russian Aircrafts are Bombing Upper Abkhazia at moment

Russian aircrafts are bombing Upper Abkhazia at the moment. The villages of Omarishara , Gentsvisi , Ghvaghva and Ajara came under attack.

Death of Editor of ‘Alania ‘ – Giga Chikhladze and Photo Reporter of Itar Tas –Alexsandr Klimchuk Confirmed

The death of the editor of ‘Alania‘ – Giga Chikhladze and the photo reporter of Itar Tas – Alexandre Klimchuk has been confirmed.

Giga Chikhladze was the editor of news program of TV company Alania. Probably he was shot by separatists in Tskhinvali. Giga Chikhladze has a wife and two children. InterpressNews condoles with the family of dead and his colleges.

President Condoled with Families on loss of their Family Members

Mikheil Saakashvili, the President of Georgia condoled with families on loss of their families’ members who became victims of the latest developments in the country.

The Government of Georgia is doing everything to end the crisis: – remarked President of Georgia in live television address held today evening.

As Mikheil Saakashvili stated the current developments will go into history.

‘We knew that our country would face just examinations, as Georgia has chosen the way of real and free state. Our country did everything to prevent confrontation in Tskhinvali.’ – declared Mikheil Saakashvili.
As Saakashvili said he has been in Zugdidi today.

Timeline by 10th of August

August 9 – 10, 2008

1. 20:00 Positional fighting near village of Qvabchara in Upper Abkhazia.
2. 19:10 “Tbilaviamsheni” aviation factory was bombarded by Russian aviation again.
3. 19:05 Russian aviation dropped bomb on Tbilisi International Airport.
4. 18:00 The Black Sea town of Anaklia 280 km from Tbilisi, is bombed by Russian airplanes. No casualties reported

Declaration of Presidents of Parliaments of the Baltic States

With deep concern and anxiety, we are observing the events in Georgia which at this moment is under intensive attacks by the army of the Russian Federation.

We are calling on the international community to decisively condemn actions of Russia and to promptly take all necessary steps to stop the war and bring the parties to the negotiation table.

Justification of Russia’s actions in Georgia by the need to protect its citizens is unacceptable. Alleged reasons for taking up a war against Georgia raise concerns about the future in every state with Russian citizens living on its territory.

Russian Forces Block Humanitarian Corridor To Tskhinvali, Deny Entry to Medical Personnel

Georgian medical staff trying to enter Tshkinvali via the humanitarian corridor established after Georgian forces announced their ceasefire and withdrawal from South Ossetia have been denied entry by Russian forces that control the city.
 
Emergency staff are urgently trying to gain access to the city to provide vital medical support to injured Georgian and South Ossetian civilians. The city has been virtually destroyed by the Russian invasion. There are currently no medical supplies remaining there.

The humanitarian corridor was established by Georgian forces specifically to enable the safe passage of refugees out of the conflict zone, and allow access to the city and its surrounding area for emergency medical personnel.

UN Security Council is Discussing Developments in Georgia

At request of Georgia and USA‘s delegations a special session of UN Security Council is held at the moment. The Russian aggression against Georgia is the issue of discussion at the session.

The General Secretary of the United Nations Pan Gi Moon made a statement on opening the session. Sir Pan Gi Moon expressed his concern about the number of casualties in the conflict zone.

Pan Gi Moon underlined that Russia’s military operations are carried out not only in the conflict zone but have already left the borders of the conflict area, the military aggression is committed throughout Georgia including Upper Abkhazia.

The General Secretary of the United Nations remarked that Russian forces are in the south Ossetia without any formats , and are to leave the territory immediately. The situation is to be resolved only in peaceful ways – added Pan Gi Moon.

Maps of Russian Bombings

Russian Fighter Jets Bomb Tbilisi’s Civilian Airport

Government of Georgia FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sunday, August 10 • 20:30 Tbilisi, Georgia

The Government of Georgia confirms that at 19:00 local time, Russian aircraft bombed the civilian airport in Tbilisi. There is no military activity of any kind at the airport.

The attack occurred several hours after Georgia offered a formal ceasefire to Russia, via Russia’s Ambassador to Georgia, and declared Georgia’s readiness to immediately start negotiations with the Russian Federation on the termination of hostilities.

Government of Georgia Statement On Russian attack in Tskhinvali

Georgian military forces were able to resist attacks by the Russian army and managed to push and keep Russian forces out of the South Ossetian town of Tskhinvali until very late into the night.

The fierce battles inflicted heavy damage on the Russian forces. During the course of the day, they lost about 40 tanks, as well as a number of smaller artillery pieces, APCs and soldiers.

Early in the morning, overwhelming Russian reinforcements were poured into the theatre, including dozens of tanks, APCs, and katyusha rocket trucks, supported by hundreds of troops.

Georgian naval forces repelled the attempt of Russian bomber air jets attempting to violate Poti air

Russian bomber air jets attempted to violate air space of Poti.

Georgian naval forces of the frontier guard police repelled the attempt.

Russian jets have been reiterating similar attempts several times during the day.

British Foreign Minister George Robertson: “ceasefire agreement must be reached”

British Foreign Minister George Robertson states ceasefire agreement must be reached, as tension in Georgia escalates. George Robertson has already discussed the Georgia developments with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

George Robertson expressed grave concern with respect to violence exercised toward Georgia on Russian part. British Foreign Minister hopes on prompt launching of peace bringing negotiations.

Great Britain expresses readiness to provide humanitarian assistance to Georgia.