Russia/Georgia Situation News & Updates

Originally posted by ZeroKnowledge
Why Russia in what it presents as peace-keeping effort against Georgian aggressor (last part is correct) has no support from other ex-USSR countries?

Well these are fragments of the former Russian Empire and having gained their independence only recently, they have disdain for their former imperial master (which may be rational or irrational, depending on circumstances). In some cases, it is the local elites that push the anti-russian agenda forth, as a political tool for their own benefit.

other than france and the uk - just about everyone in europe is silent on the matter

Well, not quite:

International reaction to the 2008 South Ossetia war

News from NATO meeting today

BRUSSELS - in Zuid-Ossetië since the beginning of the armed conflict 2500 people for living has come. That the Russian envoy has Dmitri Rogozin, at the NATO, Monday said during a press conference in Brussels. The Russians and their allies in the rebellious georgian republic spoke rather of two thousand deads.


According to Rogozin the georgian army has laid booming moquette in Zuid-Ossetië and the capital Tschinvali for 98 per cent has been devastated. The envoy spoke further concerning ethnic purifications under the local population and rapes by georgian soldiers.

Source

BREAKING - SKY/REUTERS: Georgian helicopters launch assault on South Ossetian capital.

Cant seem to find a link about this, is this on television?

Some more on this:

Russians advance in west Georgia

Russian troops have entered Georgia from the breakaway region of Abkhazia, as the conflict between the two neighbours appears to be broadening.

Moscow said its troops had reached the town of Senaki to stop Georgia from attacking Russian forces in South Ossetia, another breakaway region.

(BBC News)

reply to post by Mammoth


Yes, that's right - it was an update directly from Sky News TV.

Originally posted by chips
Some more on this:

Russians advance in west Georgia

Russian troops have entered Georgia from the breakaway region of Abkhazia, as the conflict between the two neighbours appears to be broadening.

Moscow said its troops had reached the town of Senaki to stop Georgia from attacking Russian forces in South Ossetia, another breakaway region.

(BBC News)

Can we believe their reason for incursion into Georgia or are they going to capture one town after the other and give the same excuse??

If Senaki is under Russian control isn't it a logical conlusion that Zugdidi is also under Russian Forces as Zugdidi lies between the border and Senaki??

reply to post by asen_y2k


I don't know what their reason is, but south of Saneki is a military airfield.
Perhaps that's their objective right now to get a stronghold for their airforce... I dunno, time will tell I guess...

reply to post by asen_y2k


Perhaps - and I also think they're outright lying about not advancing into Georgian territory, too. There are varied sources (many of which we have been able to gather here) that prove they have done just that.

This is all very confusing. The earlier reports that Russian armor is attacking Gori proved false - as the city was just subjected to air attack and shelling. But what is this about Senaki? I am baffled as to how Russian troops can "occupy" a military base near Senaki in the middle of Georgia.

Honestly - and I do not want to say it as it contradicts my past theory - but Russian troops appear to have carried out limited ground infiltration into Georgia. Why Senaki - which is further from Tbilisi than Gori? I have no clue. It appears to have been a surprise infiltration, as there wasn't much or any for that matter fighting reported from Senaki - yet Georgia has an infantry brigade in or near the city.

There is however a key air strip in Senaki. Also Russian troops appear to have only APCs and not tanks - which suggests that they either won't be staying there, or that they will expect reinforcement from heavy armor soon. Not much action has been seen on Russia's border with Abkhazia - and more armored Russian troops have entered Abkhazia as they did in South Ossetia.

Many Russians as much confused by the military's actions as everyone here is. The Russian military continues to insure us that it has no plans to occupy any part of non-disputed territory of Georgia, and that the thrusts such as the one in Senaki are only meant to deal the last blows to Georgian military.



Anyway here are the LATEST RUSSIAN SOURCED NEWS:


The Russian military has announced the loss of two more Su-25 in the conflict zone in the last 24 hours. That places the down Russian aircraft total at 4.

lenta.ru...


According to Georgian officials Russian troops have thrust 40km from the Abkhaz border into Georgia, and have entered the city of Senaki on armored personel carriers. Russian military has confirmed that it is carrying out preemptive actions in the region. Reportedly this was done by Russia to prevent Georgian artillery fire against S. Ossetia and to prevent the Georgian forces from regrouping for another attack. Also in Senaki is located the 2nd infantry brigade of the Georgian army.

Also the Georgian military and civilians have fully evacuated the towns bordering S. Ossetia, including Zagdidi. The towns are still empty reports Interfax, and if Russian troops are advancing towards them they should not meet any resistance.

lenta.ru...


Israeli press according to Russian sources has announced that U.S. is sending MILITARY AID to Georgia (supposedly the Israeli newspaper Maariv). It is reported that the military equipment has been arriving since August 9 in Tbilisi. Israel itself has stopped shipments of military equipment to Georgia earlier this month before the fighting started.

My take on this: That is probably the main reason why Russia was bombing air strips near Tbilisi. Russia has to know that this is going on, but is not announcing what it knows.

lenta.ru...


A column of S. Ossetian refugees came under fire from Georgian troops still in S. Ossetia. This happened near the village of Kurta. Russian troops have counterattacked the attackign Georgian fighters and beat them back. No casualties reported.

lenta.ru...


Russian troops have thrust into the village of Hurcha, after local Georgian forces have refused to put down their weapons. The troops have only taken the police station, but not the rest of the town. Russian military has confirmed the actions, and stated that there were 1,500 Georgian soldiers in the town - which are the reason for Russia's actions. The Russian commander says there will be no further advance.

lenta.ru...


Russian officials state there Saakashvilli's cease fire announcements are false and have no real meaning. Russia still has not officially received a cease fire offer - supposed to be given to a Russian embassador or to Moscow. Georgian forces are still firing at tagrets in S. Ossetia.

lenta.ru...


Russian senior official has stated that Russia does not aim at toppling Saakashvilli - and will leave that up to the Georgian people. He said Russia did not state that Saakashvilli needs to be ousted before any cease fire can be reached.

lenta.ru...


Another Georgian Su-25 downed in S. Ossetia reports say.

lenta.ru...


Ukraine has pledged not to supply Georgia with weapons. But Ukraine did pledge humanitarian and "political" help to Georgia.

lenta.ru...


Russian military headquarters has announced that it never targeted the oil pipeline in Georgia.

lenta.ru...


Several Georgia's "foreign mercenaries" have been taken to Vladikavkaz in Russia where some are being treated in a hospital. Russian official now states the mercs were found to have foreign passports in their possetion. No official word on what countries they are from.

lenta.ru...





That is the main Russian news for the last several hours.

I'm no military tactitian, but I have to assume that Russia has suffucient air power to project throughout Georgia and beyond without having to capture air bases there. Is it more logical to assume that this is merely an attempt to neutralize Georgia's ability to conduct air operations? I apologize if this is the sort of speculation intended for the other thread. If so, let me know and I'll refrain from posting anything other than news. Thanks.

reply to post by maloy


Welcome back, Maloy.

Great update, by the way.

I cant help but think there is a hidden agenda when there is so little coming from Uk government officials. Both the UK and France were part of the staged war-games in the Atlantic 10 days ago, in which the US played out their intended role in Iran. It wouldnt look good if The UK condemned Russia too severely and were found out to be hypocrits due to knowing what was to unfold.

There has been so much good work carried out in this thread and I probably like so many of those that have been posting have been riding a roller-coaster of emotions from fear to relief regarding the comments posted.

Remember though, that one of these posts is soon going to be about the US fleet reaching the coast of Iran. When that happens we surely need to keep our heads and think twice before we post our own thoughts and ideas.

Would it not be good if we could roll the clock forward just a day or two just to see what happens? or then again, maybe its better we dont.

Huge thumbs up to all participants in here

Originally posted by maloy
This is all very confusing. The earlier reports that Russian armor is attacking Gori proved false - as the city was just subjected to air attack and shelling. But what is this about Senaki? I am baffled as to how Russian troops can "occupy" a military base near Senaki in the middle of Georgia.

Niet...Saakasvilli also confirmed tank attack on Gori but stated that they REPELLED the attack on Gori.

Still reading this piece but this snippet mentions the US personnel in the area:

jamestown.org

...The lack of quick demonstrative success prompted Moscow to opt for punishing air-strikes on Gori and Poti, while the bombs dropped on the Vasiani Airbase outside Tbilisi were probably intended to force the evacuation of U.S. military instructors. This disproportional response allowed Saakashvili to portray Georgia as a victim of aggression and generated international pressure for a ceasefire (Moscow echo, August 9)...

seems like a think tank piece overall but posting FYI.

Georgian President run for cover, cnn video

www.cnn.com...

According to France24, the French foreign minister has already arrived in Moscow with the cease-fire agreement.

reply to post by maloy


Good to see you back maloy,I was wondering what your take is on this,Great updates,thanks

The Russian incursion from South Ossetia toward Gori inside Georgia was never confirmed by any source other than the Georgian interior ministry that I can see, and it was later revised to say that Gori was being shelled and hit by air strikes.

By contrast, this time we have reports from both Georgia and Moscow confirming that Russian forces are operating in Georgia now. I have to hope that this is merely for the purpose of routing forces they feel could attack in Abkhazia or elsewhere, and not the beginning of a larger invasion. I'm trying my best to stay optimistic here.

[edit on 8/11/2008 by AceWombat04]