According to the Georgians, there troops are out of South Ossetia which is one of the requirements of the Russian ceasefire proposal. However the Russians claim there still there and will not declare a ceasefire. However fighting is flaring up in the other breakaway region of Abkhazia according to the Georgian government Russian and separatists are fighting Georgian soldiers there. These Russian troops are most likely the 4,000 that landed by sea early this morning.
the BBC (who have been accused of been biased by some other blogs towards the Russians) have a report from a South Ossetian separatist government spokeswoman in Tskhinvali saying that on Thursday (before the Russians got involved) houses and apartment blocks were been hit by shells and rockets (most likely from BM-21 as I blogged in the weapons post). This is obviously quite important as if they were hitting civilians that is enough motivation for another country react. But it is still hard to get a non-bias or confirmed report from media sources, there all quoting the Russians, or the South Ossetians, or the Georigan government, who been politcians will add some spin to a problem.
UNHCR is seeking access to South Ossetia. The UN say they estimate about 10,000 to 20,000 people are displaced in Georgia and South Ossetia from the fighting and there is most likely more displaced people in North Osseta, Russia. Modern warfare does sure know how to make life difficult for people.
UPDATES:
16:45: Reuters TV crew have heard a number of explosions in South Ossetia after Georgian Government said there troops had ceased fire. Russia has also reported that they have received a note from Georgia at 0100GMT saying fighting as stopped and troops are been withdrawn, Russia says this is not true and fighting is continuing. Russia has accused Georgia is playing a PR game to get support.
17:15: Civil.ge reporting that Russians have bombed the outskirts of Tibilisi. Bombs were dropped on unpopulated areas. No casualties reported.
18:32: After rumours last night, the International Airport in Tbilisi has now been hit by Russian bombs. Just before the French foreign minister was due to arrive for talks. Reuters Cameraman saw smoke rising from near the runway. The airport also have a military installation near by, it could have been a stray bomb. If Georgian soldiers have left South Ossetia, why are the bombs still dropping? You can see the report here
19:01: Russia is denying reports that the airport was bombed and that Georgia has withdrawn from South Ossetia. A Russian government official from either the UN envoy or Foreign ministry (didn't quite hear which one) that Georgian President has to be "gone". Is this about Georgians Pro-west stance? Ukraine as also made threatening comments about Russian Navy ships in the Black Sea.
19:05: It was Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Condolezza Rice that Georgian President "must go", the US UN envoy revealed at the Security Council Reuters is reporting.
19:14: Russia has said Georgians president is no longer a partner in foreign relations. It also has said that to stop this crisis he does not have to go.
19:43: Vague reports of Russian Navy sinking a Georgian ship carrying missiles showing up on AlertNet. Russia to set up military Hospital in South Ossetia, Looks like there moving on for the long term.
20:00: Russian media is reporting that civilians were killed by Georgian troops. Including a church been burnt with people hiding inside and Georgian troops going on to basements and shooting civilians....Truth? Or Kremlin propaganda? No western news agencies reporting this.
21:08: Jotman has an interesting post on western media bias. Some say there bias towards Georgia, others say there bias towards Russia. The BBC seems to be struggling to get reports out, they have cut down on there foreign correspondents in recent BBC cut backs. BBC also now reporting than Tbilisi's international airport was bombed by the Russians.
22:16: A blogger in Poti tells an interesting story of the bombing and his/her shock. Hope he/she is safe! You can read the translated blog at Global Voices Online
23:50: The AFP news agency has been told by the Georgian government that Gori is under attack by artillery and aircraft and Russia groud forces are preparing an attack.
00:10: The BBC is showing footage of there reporters coming under attack by a Russian Su-25. They appear to have targeted there black SUV. Both sides are saying there killing civilians. I won't speculate on who done what until its more clear and things can be confirmed.
03:00: Georgian government says Russian war planes have bombed a Radar station near the capital of Tbilisi about an hour ago. The explosions were heard in the city centre of the capital. The French foreign minister is in Tbilisi to try and get a peace talk, he will go to Moscow.
3:05: Georgian politician is on BBC News saying the the military base hit was in a Tbilisi suburb. Also says the reason why Georgia attacked was becuase separatists killed police officers (however I didn't manage to note the rest of the interview)
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