Update as of 0500 Eastern Standard Time:
From CNN:
The Georgian military has pulled its troops from the capital of separatist province South Ossetia as thousands of Russian troops moved into the area, military officials confirmed Sunday.
Georgian troops have withdrawn from Tskhinvali back to the positions they held before Thursday when they launched an operation into the region.
The Georgian national council chief said the withdrawal was a show of goodwill, aimed at encouraging Russia to accept a cease-fire.
The official said about 200 Georgian soldiers and 37 Georgian civilians have died so far in Russia attacks.
The withdrawal comes after Russian forces launched an airstrike against a military airfield near the Tbilisi International Airport earlier in the day, Georgian officials told CNN.
The attack near the Georgian capital city came after intense fighting in the former Soviet republic, with dozens of Russian warplanes bombing civilian and military targets in Georgia on Saturday
Inside South Ossetia, civilians have been without water, electricity and basic services for more than a day, said Maia Kardava, a Red Cross spokeswoman in Tbilisi. She said the Red Cross was unable to reach colleagues based in Tskhinvali because their phones had lost power and they were huddled in bomb shelters.
From the NY Times:
He said that Russia had built up large forces in Abkhazia and South Ossetia — breakaway regions that have support from Moscow — including as many as 300 artillery pieces in South Ossetia alone. Russian forces, he said, were also poised just over the border at Larsi, a checkpoint, where they could open a third line of ground attack.
Later Sunday, Mr. Utiashvili said Georgian forces have completely withdrawn from South Ossetia and Tskhinvali was totally under Russian control.
“We face overwhelming control,” he said. “We have undergone massive bombardment. This is to save the lives of the peaceful population.”
Russian reports are contradictory, and a few kilometers away from the conflict zone, Georgian tanks and armed personnel carriers could be seen camouflaged by the side of the road.
As Russia moved more forces into the region and continued aerial bombing, it appeared determined to occupy both South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Russian warplanes struck at least five Georgian cities. Witnesses said they struck a train station in Tsenakhi, five apartment buildings in Gori, and the Black Sea port of Poti.
Georgian officials said that Russian warplanes had attacked the major Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, operated by British Petroleum, that carries oil to the West from Asia, but that the pipeline had not been struck.
From Russia Today:
Thousands of South Ossetians are trapped in the ruins of a city almost destroyed by Georgian missiles. The remaining residents of Tskhinvali are huddled in cellars beneath bombed-out buildings. They are struggling to survive - without water, food or electricity.
The death toll in Georgia’s breakaway republic has reached at least 2,000, according to Russian and South Ossetian sources. Georgian officials deny the figure is that high.
Twelve Russian peacekeepers have also been killed in the fighting with up to 150 others wounded.
A Russian army general was injured when his unit came under fire. There is no information on his condition yet.
In two days of intense fighting, South Ossetia claims a Georgian bomber was shot down and 12 Georgian tanks destroyed in and around Tskhinvali.
The capital is said to be almost completely ruined and without water and electricity.
More to follow:
God Bless America
Bryan
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/08/10/georgia.russia/index.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/11/world/europe/11georgia.html?pagewanted=1&hp
http://www.russiatoday.com/news/news/28757
Photo is by AP and from the CNN Article. Sphere: Related Content
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12 comments:
An old woman in black with 2 childreen trying to safe their life is running outside, she is seeing a basement where other people are and they could help her. There are several metres to it... But she was unlucky - the Georgian tank. It catched them all and turned on the ground several time. 3 lifes have been ironed out. This is not a tale, this is true story from Zhinvali.
Kate from Sank-Petersburg, Russia.
What are you talking and writing about. Do you know what the war is? Just image that this woman your mother or grandmother is. You are living in your world, pure words doesn't change your reality. Before to discuss and create new message please just think about 2000 deads and 30 000 refugees.
In 1994 I've lost many relatives in Abkhazia. My aunt was raped 3 times. Now the Georgian do the same again. I hope that Georgian people as a civilized people would think what their are doing, I hope that the Georgian mother would safe their sons and loundly said NO WAR. May be the awfull game of Saakashvili would be stopped. Nobody wants this war, we want to live! Especially girls and boys from South Osetia.
Anon,
I believe that the world right now is watching this intently for two reasons. The first is what you just articulated, and that is civilians on both sides are feeling the brunt of this fighting. The second is people want to know what is going on.
I am curious as to how discussing what is going on, from various news sources means we dont understand and are in our own world?
If you can provide accounts of what is going on there on the ground, please do, I would greatly appreciate it.
Bryan
I can not believe how American media is misrepresenting the facts. Everybody is focusing on the fact that Russia is bombing "poor Georgia" however nobody takes into consideration that Georgians are killing their own citizens, that they shooting the civilians and that they obviously started a clean up of Georgia from Ossetians and other nationalities. Before you make any comments about "evil Russia" attacking "poor little Georgia", please research the history and read sources other than CNN.
For those mislead by American Media - the conflict in Georgia started in the 90-s when Georgia declared its independence and when their first president - Zviad Gamsakhurdia declared the motto: “Georgia – for Georgians.” We are all for acknowledgement of Georgia as independent country, however it is unacceptable to divide nation by ethnic groups on the government level. After this declaration different nationalist movements started. At that time there were different ethnic groups living in Georgia, in particular Ossetians, Armenians, Abchazians, Azerbaijanians and small percentage of Russians. All these people considered Georgia as an undivided state their home country. However after the President declared that “Georgia is for Georgians” the civil war broke out leading to persecution of different ethnic groups. Parts of Georgia proclaimed independency from Georgia. This is how South Ossetia, North Ossetia, Abchazia and Armenia formed (although they are not recognized as independent country by the UN). In 1994 an agreement was signed between Russia, Georgia and Abchazia and approved by UN. According to the agreement Russia will be performing the role guarantor of peace and mediator in Caucuses. Certain regulations were agreed upon. The agreement also stated that if one of the sides performs aggressive actions against the other side Russia is supposed to get involved in the conflict and defend the oppressed side.
That’s exactly what happened this time. Georgia attacked South Ossetia and Russian peacekeeping base, which was stationed in South Ossetia. The peacekeeping base consisted of only 500 military men. So now tell me who was oppressed in this situation - when Georgian army started fully blown up attack of the civilians and humanitarian aid from Grad rocket system?!!! Russian side requested a number of times that Georgians allow them to create a corridor to take children, women and the wounded from the attacked zone. No response on Georgian side, in fact they continue to shoot the busses with civilians who are trying to flee from the region. They marched into the city of Tshinvali throwing grenades into the basements of the building where women and children are hiding and they are well aware of that. How would you call these actions? The war for independence from Russia?!!! Give me a break! I call GENOCIDE!!! What harm did the children and women do to the Georgians?! Saakashvili should be tried for the crime against humanity.
Here are some Canadian and UK sources that present a more objective picture of the situation:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=20080808&articleId=9771
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/world/europe/georgian-military-attacks-breakaway-south-ossetia-13934524.htm
So.. no comments on tatiana's post? have nothing to say?
you know, some of Russian (for god's sake please write it correctly) are really got tired of your accusations
think what you want while you can think
Tatiana, Dina,
My apologies on being away from the computer for a few hours.
First off, no-one is saying that there have not been atrocities comitted. I also do not believe that we have been showing only one side here. I try to use as many different sources as possible, including Russian News Services.
Now, as far as the background of the situation, your right, and I dont think anyone is disputing those facts right now. The issue at hand, is how do we stop the killing, and get the relief needed to civilians in South Ossetia and Georgia?
My personal beliefs right now are the same as what has been put forward by our President and Secretary of State. Put a cease-fire in place, find out what happened, and find a lasting solution ratified by the UN to this problem. Allowing the status quo to remain for the long term is detrimental to all involved.
If crimes against humanity have been conducted then those responsible need to be brought to justice.
Personally, I have seen a lot of reporting on US and Western News Media about both the bombing of targets in Georgia and the bombings in South Ossetia. Where do you believe that not eneough is being covered?
Bryan
Bryan
We are all for termination of war (I mean ordinary people, like you and me, not the politicians who pursue their own goals). To you and me it just absolutely doesn't make sense what the people are dying for – weather these are Ossetian civilians, Georgian soldiers or Russian soldiers. We all want both sides to cease fire and punish the one who is responsible for the break out of war.
The problem is that everybody is pointing finger to Russians right now. People, look at the facts!!! Russia did not attack Georgia – Russia responded to the attack! And Russia’s involvement into the war was legitimately justifiable – according to the agreement signed in 1994. Russia had to defend the oppressed side performing its peacemaking mission.
It’s very difficult to resolve the situation if only one side is willing to cooperate and the other is constantly breaks the promises that they make. Georgians propose cease-fire and break it before Russia even has a chance to respond. How Russia can withdraw their troops if Georgians keep shooting at them and the civilians. Georgians say that they’ve withdrawn their troops. Yes, they have – to the positions where they originally started to attack from. Moreover, while sending the note of cease-fire they attack the Russian ships. There are still isolated Georgian military groups in Tskhinvali.
I understand American interests to back up Georgia (after all they are the ally that America has in Russia’s backyard, where it would be very convenient to create American military base and position measles [huh] ) but lives of thousands of people are at stake. I can’t imagine that Ossetia will ever want to be a part of Georgia after this manslaughter.
As far as “[using] as many different sources” and “not enough being covered” – I don’t believe it’s only my impression about bias attitude of your blog against Russian part in this war, as there are some other people who left comments on your blog trying to bring some clarity to the conflict. I don’t think the headlines of the articles on CNN like “Russia bombs Georgia” are appropriate, as many people don’t even read the article itself (which also contains a lot of bs). I think the headlines like “Russia responds to Georgian attacks” or “Russia stands up for the oppressed ethnic group” are much more appropriate.
And, please, read some blogs and comments of people who witnessed the conflict and fled from the war region. I came across a couple of them while researching the information. All of them saying that if it wasn’t for Russian army, they would have been dead by now.
Sincerely,
Tatiana
Tatiana, don't blame Bryan for CNN headlines, there are a lot of info on Russian and a little in English, please post here what you can find with the links.
Tatiana,
Thank You for writing again. I agree with you, war is an ugly thing, and should only be used by a nation as a very last resort when every other means has failed. I have seen it up close and personal and the suffering it brings to people can only justify its use as a very last resort.
With CNN, yes, the reporting has been from a predominantly western perspective, that is one of the reasons I believe blogging is so important and effective because it allows people like us to connect and tell the entire story and not just part. Thanks to people like you and Sergey we here in the US are able to see the entire picture and try to have much more understanding of how other people from other parts of the world think and feel about the situation.
If you have some other sites, beyond which I have right now, please post them. I would greatly appreciate it.
I hope this finds you doing well and hope your having a good morning.
Bryan
This is a very informative youtube presentation and some following comments:
http://current.com/items/89187613_the_truth_about_south_ossetia_war_georgia_attack_and_russia_s_response
Here are some links:
http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/09/stories/2008080955291300.htm
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20080811/twl-georgia-renews-south-ossetia-bombard-41f21e0_1.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,401043,00.html
http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Jul08/0,4670,GeorgiaAbkhaziaPeacekeepers,00.html
http://www.ontoinfo.com/2008/08/09/georgia-invades-south-ossetia-kills-civilians-media-lies/
Tatiana,
Thank You so much. Those were some great articles. They are posted on the main page on my latest entry.
I'd be interested in your thoughts on the post thoughts from the last 24 hours.
Again thank you so much, and I hope this finds you doing well.
Bryan
This is a very sad and informative article, please, read:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/13/georgia.russia3
Also, you didn't respond to my last post???
Tatiana,
My apologies, its nothing personal or anything like that; I just have been crazy at work the last 24 hours. I will be responding tonight, in just a little bit:)
Bryan
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