Russia/Georgia Situation News & Updates

President Dmitry Medvedev said Georgia had paid enough for sending its forces into the separatist South Ossetia region, leading to five days of air and ground attacks in response.

"The aggressor has been punished and suffered very significant losses. Its military has been disorganised," Mr Medvedev said.

But the Russian president ordered his defence minister: "If there are any emerging hotbeds of resistance or any aggressive actions, you should take steps to destroy them."

I suppose this always went without saying, but it appears that there remains the possibility of further clashes under the right conditions based on this statement.

Sky News source

So does this mean World War 3? There is a cease fire and this is still going on? We are doomed, right?

Russia masses naval force opposite Georgia’s third sensitive region, Ajaria

The Russian Black Sea buildup is deployed opposite the Ajurian capital of Batumi, an important port for the shipment of oil from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Its oil refinery handles Caspian oil from Azerbaijan. When Saakashvili was elected president five years ago, the region’s leaders refused to recognize his authority and maintained close ties with Moscow up until May 2004 when, after Ajurians demonstrated against Tbilisi, he ordered them to obey the Georgian constitution and disarm. Russia maintained a military base at Batumi which it agreed to close by November 2007. DEBKAfile’s sources report that by recovering the base, Moscow will not only punish the Georgian president, but also profit from the turmoil of the past week in three ways: 1. A third semi-autonomous province will be hacked off Georgian territory after the loss of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. 2. Russia will gain a strategic Black Sea foothold at Turkey’s back door. 3. It will also control a gateway to Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

This stood out:

"2. Russia will gain a strategic Black Sea foothold at Turkey’s back door."

Someone answer plucky! And, oh yeah, I almost forgot:

www.debka.com...

reply to post by pluckynoonez


The fact that they don't cite what their sources are specifically makes that article dubious in my mind, but anything is possible at this point simply due to the total lack of independent confirmation of anything being reported. It's very frustrating and confusing. Where are the reporters on the ground that can confirm or deny these things?

It's possible though, if only just. I'd expect Turkey, Georgia, and others to seize on this if it were true, though, especially given Georgian reports of Russian troop movements (some of which appeared to end up being false) during the conflict before the cease-fire) Thus far they haven't said anything about this, at least nothing that's been reported. I wouldn't be alarmed provided this isn't confirmed independently.

[edit on 8/13/2008 by AceWombat04]

As far as I know but I might be wrong, the Russians don't have a base at Batumi. If they did, I would think they would have attacked Batumi before the ceasefire.

-edit- There is a base at 41 35'24 82'N 41 35'30 77'E which might still be Russian, I thought the handover of that base was somewhere later this year.

[edit on 13-8-2008 by -Rugged Shark-]

Plucky, myself Asen-y2k and others predicted Russia would go into Gori, while Maloy said they would not.

They did go into Gori.

The Russian's have had this planned for months. Jane's Defense Review cited on July 19th that Russia had a massive build-up outside Georiga's border. Now you know why they were able to mobilze over 1000 tanks, troops and 200 aircraft in only a few hours.

Now, what will they do next? They wanted to send a message to the US and NATO that former Russian "statelets" will not be a part of NATO or so friendly to the US. It is Russia who wants to control them once again as the former Soviet Union once did.

Putin is behind it all. An ex-KGB Colonel bent on getting back Russia's former glory.

What excuse will Russia make next to continue invasion of it's neighbors?

We'll find out soon.

[edit on 13-8-2008 by jetxnet]

reply to post by AceWombat04


debka vs. whatdoesitmean, do the pendulum swing? Is one more grotesque than the other? Debka "feels" like to better put together. BUt that deosnt mean anything...

So! Is there still shelling? Cease fire? And shelling? Can anyone answer plucky that? It stands to reason the longer the fighting during a cease-fire. the worse off we are.

reply to post by jetxnet


There remains no confirmation that Russia ever entered Gori. Initially Georgia's interior ministry said they had, but then said that they had remained outside of Gori. This was documented earlier in the thread (unless of course the media misquoted or fabricated quotes of the Georgian officials.)

The only thing that was ever confirmed by both sides (which is all we can go on, since there has been little if any independent confirmation of anything during this conflict) was that Sekani and Zugdidi had been subdued by Russian forces.

The occupation of Poti is also disputed and unverified.

Originally posted by pluckynoonez

So! Is there still shelling? Cease fire? And shelling? Can anyone answer plucky that? It stands to reason the longer the fighting during a cease-fire. the worse off we are.

Unfortunately we don't know. Both sides say they have agreed to the peace plan in principle and are abiding by a cease-fire, but Georgia and U.S. Secretary of State Rice say that Russian strikes continue. Russia denies this. There are no independent confirmations or denials either way.


[edit on 8/13/2008 by AceWombat04]

reply to post by AceWombat04


Well, lame. How dare they be so secretive!

I for one would like my doom front and center.

Witnesses report Russian forces leaving Georgian territory, and the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse says that fighting in the South Ossetian region appears to have stopped.

Earlier, Russia announced its military activity in the area was completed and witnesses saw troops pulling out.

The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Georgia says fighting in the South Ossetia region does now seem to have ended.

news.bbc.co.uk...

Meanwhile Russia's Foreign Minister says it has no plans to annex or occupy parts of Georgia

Moscow has "no intention of annexing or occupying any part of Georgia and has again affirmed its respect for its sovereignty," he said.

www.alertnet.org...


[edit on 8/13/2008 by AceWombat04]

reply to post by AceWombat04


I just watched our channel 3 news here in NZ and a british reporter was in Gori, and there was no Russian occupation. If the Russians did take over Gori then they didn't for long, and they got the hell out. Or the reports are all false and they never occupied it in the first place, just bombed the hell out of it.

People are still being injured or dying however, and fragments of fighting is still ongoing.

I wish "others" in the media world would just stick to the facts. They should be fined for misconstruing the truth. Imagine if the countries involved could sue the media for defamation! (for not reporting a war factually)

reply to post by AceWombat04


Thank you.

I guess I couldve found it myself, but when I am having a bad air day it is nice to rely upon such fine posters at ATS.

Still, a wait and see situation. THe next few days...

If it's true Russia lost at least 17 fighter jets, then that would mean over 800$ million lost (The average MIG 29-35 goes for 57 million$).

In close to a Billion for that alone, not-to-mention the cost of deployment, artillary and bombs, that's easily 2 billion spent on this 4 day war.

I'm wondering if that doesn't have something to do with their stoppage at this point as well.

Putin can't be happy with the Russia Prez, or it is part of a broader strategy.

BREAKING - SKY TV/AP: Head of Georgian National Security Council says 50 Russian tanks enter city of Gori.

Chips, you got to be kidding? What? They sign the peace agreement, tell everyone they're going to pull out and do something like this?

Somehow, i'm not surprised.

reply to post by chips


So exciting! No! Doom is never exciting! Yes! No!

Yes! It is why we are all here at this point and time! Only some creepy people are at the helm!

Reports: Russian Troops Quit Poti after Sinking Vessels

Russian forces withdrew from Poti late last night after sinking several vessels of the Georgian armed forces, according to a reporter of a Poti-based radio station.

She told RFE/RL Georgian service on Wednesday morning that vessels were moved away from the coast and slinked. Two vessels of the Georgian coast guard were not destroyed, according to this report.

source

Russian Black Sea Fleet Acts of Aggression

Acts of aggression committed by the Russian Black Sea Fleet


The landing force consisted of 4000 military personnel, battle tanks and other military hardware have been disembarked by the Russian Black Sea Fleet vessels in port of Ochamchira. The personnel have advanced towards the Kodori Gorge and attacked territory controlled by the Georgian side, while the battle tanks and other military hardware have advanced towards Senaki;

The guided missile cruiser has committed missile attack on Kodori;

On August 12 at 17.00-18.00 saboteurs have mined and exploded Border Police Coast Guard vessels that were not of military purpose. The Coast Guard vessels granted to Georgia by friendly countries in 1993 being in non operational condition were exploded as well.

The attack has been performed by 15-16 naval ships, including Guided Missile Cruiser “MOSKVA”, Landing Ship “Tsezar Kunikov” etc;

During communication with the captain of the port Poty vessel “Tsezar Kunikov” was using call-signs “BIGEL156”, “BIGEL159” etc.

source

reply to post by jetxnet


Latest:

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) -- A top Georgian official says his country's troops have completely left the separatist province of Abkhazia. The head of Georgia's national security council is saying that 50 Russian tanks have entered the strategic Georgian city of Gori.

Temur Yakobashvili, the Cabinet minister for reintegration, said Wednesday that the troops had been driven out by Russian forces from the small part of Abkhazia they had held.

(AP)

So, if true... what the hell are Medvedev and Putin doing?

reply to post by -Rugged Shark-


When you don't have a boat to float....

I am going to sleep. If wake up in the morning, I will know that I am not dead.