Global General

Special

Newsmaker

Asia Pacific

America

Middle East

Europe

Africa

Russian FM says 1,500 killed in South Ossetia

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-08-09 17:08

MOSCOW - Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says some 1,500 people have been killed in fighting in Georgia's breakaway province of South Ossetia.

Lavrov said in a conference call that the deathtoll is continuing to rise.

Related readings:  China calls for ceasefire in South Ossetia  Georgia reports new air attacks at military bases  Georgian troops withdraw from South Ossetia

Georgia launched a massive offensive to regain control over the breakaway province which has close ties with Russia, and Moscow responded by sending in armored convoys. Georgia also accused Russia of bombing its towns, ports and air bases and asked the international community to help end what it called Russian aggression.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Friday that Russian troops in South Ossetia must force Georgia into a cease fire and also protect civilians in the province, most of whose residents hold Russian passports.