[PS]: Russian Intervention in South Ossetia

August 9, 2008

[PS]: Russian Intervention in South Ossetia
Ossetia,Russia,NATO,OSCE
Russia's ambassador to Nato, Dmitry Rogozin, said no "consultations" would be possible until Georgian forces withdraw from South Ossetia. The crisis began spiraling when Georgian forces launched a surprise attack on August 7, 2008 against the de facto independent South Ossetia.
The moved followed by heavy fire, artillery bombardment and air strikes against the Russian-backed separatists. In response Russia has sent armoured units across the border.
On August 9, Georgia's parliament accepted President Mikheil Saakashvili's declaration of martial law as its country battled Russian forces for control over South Ossertia.
According to Russian reports, Tbilisi launched ground and air strikes in an attempt to seize control of south Ossetia, killing around 1,500 civilians. The ongoing operation is the most severe since South Ossetia fought for independence form Georgia in 1992.
Russian Deputy Air Force Commander Col. Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn said "We are only seeking to ensure peace." as Russian sent in paratroopers from the Ivanovo, Moscow and Pskov airborn divisions to liberate South Ossetia's capital, Tskhinvali.
The Russian government has warned that a humanitarian crisis was developing, 30,000 South Ossetian's have fled across the border into Russia. The South Ossetian Prime Minister Yury Morozov confirmed that the capital Tskhinvali was presently under Russian control. While the current conflict is expected to rise as year of tensions between Russia and Georgia are encouraged by the arriving NATO deligation.
Russia has deployed T-80U and T-90S main battle tanks, MSTA-S self propelled gun mount, SU-27 and Tu-22 to the region.
Spotlight Tu-90
Weighing 50 metric tons, max speed of 65 km/h and a range of 550-650 km, the Tu-90 is Russian's modern main battle tank. Its main weapon is a 125mm 2A46M-2 smoothbore with a rate of 6-8 rounds per minute and a 7.62mm remotely-controlled AAMG machine gun.