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Russia steps up forces in conflict zone
Russia announced yesterday it was beefing up its peacekeeping force in Georgia's breakaway regions, saying it had evidence Tbilisi was readying its forces for an attack.
- Reuters
- Published: 00:14 April 30, 2008
Moscow: Russia announced yesterday it was beefing up its peacekeeping force in Georgia's breakaway regions, saying it had evidence Tbilisi was readying its forces for an attack.
Georgia denied it had any plans to attack the separatist Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions, but the Russian move marks a new escalation in a crisis between the two ex-Soviet neighbours that has already alarmed Georgia's allies in the West.
Tbilisi accuses the Russian peacekeepers serving in the breakaway regions of siding with the separatists. Georgia President Mikhail Saakashvili was to make a statement later yesterday.
Russia announced the new troops four days after saying it would use force to defend its compatriots if Georgia attacked the regions, which threw off Tbilisi's control in wars in the chaotic post-Soviet 1990s. Most residents hold Russian passports.
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