Georgia: Drone Shot Down Over Abkhazia

The BBC reports that Georgia alleges that a Russian MiG-29 shot down one of its drones over Abkhazia. The Georgian Ministry of Defense has released video of the incident, but Russia denies the charges. Instead, Abkhaz rebels claim responsibility.

Mr Saakashvili himself went on Georgian TV to say he had “categorically demanded [of Mr Putin]… that these aggressive attacks on Georgia be stopped immediately”.

[…]

Tbilisi believes Moscow is fuelling the separatist conflict in Abkhazia to maintain Russian influence in the region and to damage Georgia’s hopes of joining Nato, the BBC’s Matthew Collin reports from Georgia.

[…]

The video, shot from the drone moments before impact, shows a jet launching a missile over what appears to be the Black Sea.

[…]

“Russian military aircraft intruded into Georgian airspace above Abkhazia, Georgia,” said President Saakashvili on television.

[…]

A Russian air force spokesman said: “What would a Russian jet fighter be doing over Georgian territory?”

Published:
04.22.08 / 9am by Onnik
Category:
Georgia, Military, News Briefs, Russia

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