Russia Invades Georgia, Claims Self Defense of Its Citizens in Georgia

Stop the fighting!!!!!!!!! Russia is using overpowering force to stop what it (Russia) sees as an incursion into their traditional territory in Ossetia and other Russian influenced and Russian populated areas in Georgia. Both sides are on a collision course that can only in the long run hurt Georgians the most as Georgia is a small nation with great pride but is no military match for what is basically an invasion of the smaller country. It reminds of when the tanks moved into Poland. Thousands will die and are are dying. This is an awful situation. Europe and the U.S. and other country who trade with these countries must intercede to stop the killing. My sense is that many Gerogians are angry at their own leaders for aggravating the situation that led to the invasion. Is this about oil pipelines running through the region?

SRaphael



A column of Russian armored vehicles and trucks near the town of Dzhava in South Ossetia on Sunday. (Musa Sadulayev/The Associated Press (Herald Examiner 8/9/08)

CNN News Earlier Friday, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said in a televised statement that Russian aircraft bombed several Georgian villages and other civilian facilities. (CNN 8/8/08)

He added that there were injuries and damage to buildings. "A full-scale aggression has been launched against Georgia," he said.

A Georgian official reported that seven people were hurt in the attack, the Associated Press said.

Saakashvili urged Russia to immediately stop bombing Georgian territory. "Georgia will not yield its territory or renounce its freedom," he said.

Georgian Forces Attack South Ossetia
By VOA News
08 August 2008

Russian NTV channel television grab shows Georgian troops ride in tanks during conflict with separatist South Ossetian troops at an unnamed location, 08 Aug 2008 Georgian military forces have fought their way into the capital of the breakaway region of South Ossetia.

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said Friday he had ordered an all-out offensive to regain control of the breakaway area.

From Times Online
August 8, 2008
Georgia 'downs two Russian warplanes' as countries move to brink of war