On The Brink Of War.
Georgia has called for help from the US after accusing Russia of "fighting a war with us in our own territory".
Russian tanks have reportedly entered the north of Tskhinvali, the capital of the breakaway region of South Ossetia.
Georgia had sent troops into the region in a bid to retake it from separatists backed by Moscow.
Tskhinvali is said to have been "practically destroyed" by Georgi
More..an rocket strikes and South Ossetian president Eduard Kokoity was quoted as saying there were "about 1,400" fatalities in the city.
The Russians, who have long supported the ethnic Russian rebels, responded by sending 150 tanks and units from the 58th Army into the region.
And their jets killed three Georgian soldiers when they bombed an airbase 25 miles from the capital Tbilisi, a Georgian interior ministry spokesman said.
President Mikheil Saakashvili said Georgia earlier downed two Russian warplanes after they bombed civilan targets.
Mr Saakashvili, a pro-Western leader who has spearheaded the former Soviet Republic's bid to join Nato, called for support from the US.
He said: "Russia is fighting a war with us in our own territory. This was a very blunt Russian aggression.
"We are right now suffering because we want to be free and we want to be a multiethnic democracy.
"I thought that America stands up for those freedom-loving nations and supports them. That's what America is all about.
"That's why we look with hope at every American."
The US State Department said it supported Georgia's territorial integrity and called for an immediate ceasefire.
Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said: "I must protect the life and dignity of Russian citizens wherever they are.
"We will not allow their deaths to go unpunished. Those responsible will receive a deserved punishment." Less..
Added: Aug 8 2008 In: news_politics
By: barnesy Premium 
- Views: 8693 |
- Votes: 0 |
- Recommendations: 0 |
- Comments: 93
