Georgia has declared itself at war as Russian planes bombed a Georgian city in an escalation of the conflict over South Ossetia.
Moscow supports South Ossetia, which has had de facto Independence from Georgia since 1992. Many people in the region have Russian citizenship but Georgia claims South Ossetia as part of its territory. Russia claims it sent tanks and artillery to Tskhinvali, the South Ossetian capital, to prevent Georgian forces attacking Russian peacekeepers and civilians. It claims over 2,000 civilians have died since a Georgian attack on Friday.
The region is becoming increasingly unstable with separatists in another breakaway province, Abkhazia, reportedly launching air and artillery strikes to drive Georgian troops out of the territory they still control. Georgia has accused Russia of backing the Abkhazians.
The Georgian president, Mikheil Saakashvili, is reported in
The Guardian addressing a televised meeting saying;
"I have signed a decree on a state of war. Georgia is in a state of total military aggression."
