YELLOW ALERT: Russia Invades Georgia
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YELLOW ALERT!
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Russia Invades Georgia
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A-O Special Coverage
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Editor's Note: We're working on providing special coverage on the latest developments pertaining to the Russian invasion of Georgia and the potential prophetic implications. We must admit - this event caught us totally by surprise, as it did with most of the pundits and analysts. We've been monitoring the situation to see if the developments were just a passing event or a full-fledged war. 24 hours later it seems to be an actual war. Consequently, we're examining incoming news reports and have already compiled some newswire stories which will be posted on this page shortly, with further signficant developments posted as needed to this page. So check back often for updated coverage.
This page will update as needed with the latest updates at the top and a separator between the updates.
MAP OF AREA
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Latest Updates Directly Below
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Update below here posted on 8-11-8 at 03:30 GMT or 11:30pm Eastern Time USA
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Russian Troops March To Conquest
Advancing on Georgia's Capital
Russia appears to be showing its true intent by intervening in Georgia's internal squabbles. On Monday, Russian troops cleared pathways out of the rebel territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and began marching toward's the capital city of Georgia, T'bilisi. By Monday night, a Russian troop column was reported to be only 15 miles away from T'bilisi after having carved up the nation into four sections.
Georgian troops, completely outnumbered were reportedly routed by mid-Monday. Late reports indicate Georgian forces were trying to rally for a last stand to save their capital city from a Russian invasion. By late evening, President Bush issued a stern statement warning the Russians that failure to abide by a cease fire would be a black mark on Russia's international reputation. The President gave no indication that American military intervention would be forthcoming. Bush also cautioned the Russians not to try and overthrow the democratically elected Georgian government.
French President, Nicholas Sarkozy - acting not only as the leader of France but also as President of the EU announced that he would fly to Moscow on Tuesday to try and persuade the Russian government to halt its offensive against Georgia. Sarkozy is expected to meet with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in the Kremlin, later on Tuesday. Sarkozy will present a French peace plan which Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili signed on Monday in a desperate bid to save his country and government from annihilation.
Throughout Monday, Russia shrugged off diplomatic calls for a ceasefire and instead issued an ultimatum to Georgia to disarm its troops. Russian troops were pushing Georgian ground troops backwards on two fronts. The initial Russian thrust from the north pierced through South Ossetia, securing that breakaway territory on Saturday and Sunday before pushing southward towards the Georgian capital of T'bilisi on Monday. A second front was opened from the western province of Abkhazia which has also rebelled against Georgia's governance. Russian troops proceeded from Abkhazia along the coastline to surround and perhaps take the Georgian port city of Poti before turning eastward towards T'bilisi giving Russia a two-pronged thrust towards the Georgian capital.
Russian warplanes reportedly attacked numerous Georgian military installations and according to some unconfirmed reports had bombed the runways of Georgia's only international airport outside of T'bilisi. The bombing of a civilian airport further enraged some European diplomats and humanitarian groups because the loss of that airport's runways makes it impossible to fly in humanitarian assistance to civilians in the region.
Many analysts now believe that Russia's real purpose in launching the military adventure was to conquer Georgia and create a regime change. Russian Prime Minister Putin charged the Georgian government with war crimes and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice. If there was any doubt as to who is really in charge in Russia, this latest crisis should eliminate all doubt - Vladimir Putin is in charge even though the Constitutional powers provide more power to the President than to the Prime Minister. Analysts believe that Putin is the man behind the power in Russia and continues to give the final orders.
Russian naval forces had begun a blockade of the Georgian port city of Poti and sank a Georgian boat carrying a missile launcher in an effort to sink Russian ships in the area.
The oil and gas pipelines that run through Georgia from Azerbaijan to Turkey's port at Ceyhan reportedly has shut down its flow of oil although there are conflicting reports as to whether or not the pipeline was damaged by Russian bombing. Despite the apparent shut down of oil and natural gas through those pipelines, world oil prices continued their downward trend from last week. Oil prices dropped to $113 before rebounding late in the session back to $114 per barrel. Oil traders were more concerned about a looming recession that would further slash demand for oil.
There remains a concern that the conflict could spread. Ukraine has made remarks suggesting that its navy might blockade the Russian naval port of Sevastopol on the Black Sea. Another nation that is concerned is the oil-rich nation of Azerbaijan located just east of Georgia. Another nation that is concerned is Modavia which has one province with strong ethnic ties to Russia. At the moment however, there are no indications that the conflict will spread. There are also no indications that the White House will turn this into a nuclear confrontation with Russia despite a remark by Vice President Cheney that the Russian aggression will not stand and must not go unanswered. Cheney gave no further indication of what the US might or might not do in the current crisis.
More on the ground combat - LINK HERE.
Russian Ultimatum - LINK HERE.
Bush Warns Russia - LINK HERE.
Russia's Actions Confound Allies - LINK HERE.
Vice President Cheney Vows Russian Attack Will "Not Go Unanswered." (4 pages length) LINK
US Knew Georgia Trouble Was Coming - But Couldn't Stop It -- LINK HERE.
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This Update Below Posted on: 8-10-8 at 2100 GMT or 5pm Eastern Time USA
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The Conflict Intensifies
(A-O Newswire) -- Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin is claiming the Georgian government has committed genocide in South Ossetia with perhaps as many as 2,000 people killed and 30,000 or more homeless.
While Georgia's leaders call for a ceasefire and claimed its forces were attempting to stop firing, Russia continues to pour troops into contested territory in both South Ossetia and a neighboring province of Abkhazia which is also a pro-Russian province of Georgia that is attempting to break away from the Georgian government. Russian bombers struck the outskirts of Georgia's capital city Tbilisi at a military base near the international airport. Russian bombers have struck numerous areas across Georgia on Sunday, indicating Russian interest in widening the war.
In another break away province of Abkhazia, the Georgian President told CNN on Sunday that Russia was pouring troops and tanks into Abkhazia to open up another battle front against Georgian forces. More details - .
Naval Action Develops
(A-O Newswire) -- Russian naval forces have taken blockading positions off the coast of the Georgian port city of Poti and turned back at least one merchant ship trying to reach the Georgian port on the Black Sea. Russian warships also sunk on Georgian small boat that was attempting to attack the Russian warship with portable missiles. For more details - LINK HERE.
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More concise update - LINK HERE.
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World Leaders Condemn Moscow
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War Widens Between Russia & Georgia
(A-O Newswire) -- The war between Russia and Georgia appears to have widened on Saturday as ground forces on both sides engaged in fierce fighting while Russian bombers struck key Georgian targets including oil pipeline facilities.
Reports from the region indicate hundreds are dead. Georgia's Foreign Ministry indicates that Georgia is in a "state of war" although the Georgian Parliament only declared that a state of war existed for the next 15 days. Georgia's Parliament building as well as other government buildings have been evacuated as Russian war planes rule the sky and Georgian leaders fear Russian bombing of the captial city of Tbilisi.
Georgia has mobilized reserves and has called for the United States to airlift 2,000 Georgian troops from Iraq back to Georgia. The Georgian troops had been part of a peacekeeping contingent in Iraq.
Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called Georgia's actions against South Ossetians as nothing but "complete genocide." Putin also claimed that Georgia had lost the irght to rule over the breakaway province of South Ossetia. This statement implies that Russia is preparing to annex South Ossetia into Russia.
Analysts are fearful that this conflict might set off a wider war, in much the same way that World War 1 and World War 2 started. Part of their reasoning stems from another flashpoint that may be about to erupt. Russian-supported separatists in another breakaway region, Abkhazia also launched air and artillery strikes against Georgian forces to drive Georgian forces out of Abkhazia. The separatist government of Abkhazia announced that it intended to drive out Georgian troops in the Kodori Gorge. The northern part of the gorge is the only area of Abkahzia that has remained under control of the Georgian government.
President Bush called for a halt to the conflict, stating: "The attacks are occurring in regions of Georgia far from the zone of conflict in South Ossetia. They mark a dangerous escalation in the crisis."
Georgia's president Mikhail Saakashvili continued to appeal to the world for help against the superior Russian forces. He called the Russian military response, an "unprovoked brutal Russian invasion." He went on to add: "This is about annihilation of a democracy on their borders."
Saakashvili pleaded for world interevention by stating: "We on our own cannot fight with Russia. We want immediate cease-fire, immediate cessation of hostilities, separation of Russia and Georgia and international mediation."
While the fighting rages on, Washington blames Moscow and Moscow blames Russia and yet leaders of both nations were in China to attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Prime Minister Putin later departed and flew to the Russian city of Vladikavkaz to meet with South Ossetian refugees fleeing from the battle-stricken region. Putin estimated that 34.000 South Ossetians have fled the territory out of an overall population of 70,000.
Battlefield Reports:
According to battlefield reports, the provincial capital of South Ossetia, Tskhinvali lies in ruins, with 98% of the city destroyed and hundreds of bodies laying in the streets. Reports indicate that 40 Russian tanks have been destroyed by Georigan army units out of 150 that were reportedly part of the initial Russian invasion force. The Russians claim to have taken control of Tskhinvali, but Georigan leaders deny the Russian claims. Smoke was reportedly still rising from the city on Saturday amid intermittent artillery shelling and sporadic small arms fire.
Georgia accused Russia of bombing Georgian air bases and the town of Gori, just outside of South Ossetia. Reporters in Gori report widespread damage from aerial bombardments and scores of bodies littering the streets. Russian warplanes also bombed a Georgian air base outside of Georgia's capital city of Tbilisi. Georgian military sources claim 10 Russian war planes have been shot down and two pilots captured.
For more details on the fighting, see the following links. LINK 1 - LINK 2.
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Russian Jets Bomb Oil Pipeline
(A-O Newswire) -- Georgia's key oil pipeline, The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline came under Russian air strikes on Saturday. The pipeline is an international pipeline that transports oil from the nation of Azerbaijan through Georgia to Turkey's oil port of Ceyhan. The pipeline provides oil to Israel from Turkey's port of Ceyhan. For more details, LINK HERE.
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Georgia Calls For Truce
EU & US Support Truce Bid
(A-O Newswire) -- While the US, EU and Georgia call for a truce to stop the bloodshed in South Ossetia, Moscow gave no indication it was interested in halting the violence. Russian President Medvedev responded by saying that Georgia must withdraw its troops from South Ossetia. The Russian President accused Georgia of seeking bloody adventures by trying to retake the breakaway province of South Ossetia.
Russian officials place the death toll at around 2,000 people, mostly civilians killed in the line of fire.
French President Nicholas Sarkozy, acting as president of the EU demanded that Russia halt its military operations and commit to a cease-fire agreement with Georgia. LINK
Britain announced that an EU-USA delegation would be dispatched to the region to try and negotiate a truce before the fighting wrecked vital oil and natural gas pipelines that supply Europe with energy resources. Those pipelines are crucial to Europe's ability to heat homes this coming winter. Russian bombers had already struck at key points on the vital oil pipeline that runs on to Turkey.
The UN Security Council met on the issue, but with Russia using its veto-wielding capability the Council was unable to make any decisions.
The Presidents of Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia issued a joint statement which called upon the European Union and NATO to take up the initiative and oppose the spread of imperialist and revisionist policy in the east of Europe.
For more details on the situation, LINK HERE.
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1,000 Georgian Troops
To Leave Iraq for Home Monday
Remainder to Follow Shortly
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IN ANOTHER LATE DEVELOPMENT
Georgia accused Russia of destroying the Georgian port city of Poti, located on the Black Sea. More on Naval Movements -- LINK HERE.
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Below Are Previous News updates:
12:00 Noon, Aug 9, 2008
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Russia Invades Georgia
Tanks Roll, Bombs Drop
Georgian President Appeals To US For Help
(A-O Newswire) - Russia invaded a portion of Georgia's territory called South Ossetia on Friday. The territory has about 5,000 residents out of 70,000 residents in the rural province of South Ossetia wishing to break away from Georgia and become independent or join Russia. Many of those residents claim Russian citizenship, thereby giving Russia the excuse for the invasion. Georgia calls the invasion an "act of war."
150 Russian tanks and armored vehicles rolled into the Georgian territory early on Friday. Their arrival was joined the by Russian Air Force conducting bombing raids. The government of Georgia claims that its military had shot down 4 Russian war planes on the first day.
Georgia's President, speaking live on CNN News on Friday, pleaded for US assistance. Georgia was in the process of formally joining NATO amid fears that Russia would invade Georgia and annex the nation back into Russia as part of an attempt to rebuild the old Soviet empire.
World diplomats are terming the situation as the most serious crisis since the collapse of the old Soviet Union in 1991. More details on this story, LINK HERE. You can read added details from Reuters Newswire, LINK HERE.
+++ UPDATED Newswire stories from Early Saturday+++
Early Saturday Update
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Russia Bombs Georgia's Capital
(A-O Newswire) -- Georgia's capital city of Tbilisi was the target of Russian bombers early Saturday morning, according to CNN reports as fighting spreads from the breakaway territory of South Ossetia to Georgia itself. The Georgian government evacuated key buildings including the Parliament building as the bombs fell. Heavy casualties are reported on both sides.
The Russians have embarked on a bombing campaign to knock out Georgia's infrastructure much like the US did to Iraq with it's "Shock and Awe" campaign. Bombers also targeted the Black Sea port, Poti, and the main road connecting the southern part of Georgia with the east and the airport. Russian bombers were reported to be deliberately targeting civilians all around the country as well as striking Georgian military bases.
Associated Press quotes eyewitnesses in the South Ossetian city of Tskhinvali as describing the streets being littered with corpses amid the fighting. One witness said there was hardly an undamaged building in Tskhinvali.
Georgia has appealed to the United Nations and the United States for diplomatic intervention. Russia in turn blamed Georgia for the fighting.
The Georgian government has asked the US to transport 2,000 Georgian troops who had been stationed in Iraq to be brought back from Iraq to Georgia to reinforce Georgian troops in battling Russian invaders. More details From CNN, LINK HERE.
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US Calls For Cease Fire
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More Updates as Developments Unfold
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