I think the countries of nato must stop Georgia

Nikolaj, Riga, Latvia

I just hope that we, the U.S. doesn't get involved and go to war against Russia, God i hope not....

John, New York, USA

That is all I can say - Georgia started this!
It is enough to understand that president of Georgia is not so smart!

Manny, NY, USA

Just some facts:
Georgia’s unemployment at 2005 - 17%
Georgia’s employed in industry – 9%
Georgia’s employed in agriculture – more than 50%
Georgia’s internet users – no more than 40 for 1000 people.
Georgia’s people with revenues under 4$ per day – more than 2/3 of population

Dmitriy, Magnitogorsk, Russian Federation

Georgia’s military budget:
2005 – about 205 millions $
2006 – 218 millions $
2007 – 517 millions $
2008 – more than 950 millions $

Dmitriy Wiper, Magnitogorsk, Russian Federation

Ossetins are calling everybody for help whereas they are burned alive by Georgians.
The fact, so brutal for its cruelty forcing us to remember the barbarities of Nazi in Babiy Yar and Auschwitz, happened in the South Ossetia while it was invaded by Saakashvili’s (Georgian) troops.

Sergei, Samara, Russia

It is time to say no to N.A.T.O. and western greed, Russia must take it's place as the only honest peace brooker left in a world bent on exploiting others natural reserves.
Most of the world is living beyond it's means, mass migration is a symption of this state of affairs.
World peace is at stake

christopher devitt, edgeworthstown, Ireland

Georgia quit, but Russia's still bombing them and maybe will expand the war. I know Russia's tweaked on war victory, but they better know when to show mercy or they could find themselves on the wrong end of a P.R. nightmare.

Misha, Vladikavkaz, Russia

well, it's clear now that Russia isn't keeping peace in the region... but is one of the interested sides in conflict. Russian troops should be replaced by U.S. peacekeeping troops, this is the only solution.

p.s. We know that Russian aggression has no limits, remember the genocide in Chechnya...

alex, Milano, Italy

UN Security Council should definitely take a look at this genocide started by Georgian government.
Interesting that Western press does not tell the whole truth like Georgian forces first attacked and destroyed Ossetian city Tshinvali and started ethnic cleansing by killing innocent Ossetians.

Drei, Portland, USA

I don't know who's right in this business, but I certainly know who is wrong. The Western Media is wrong and completely biased.

James, Auckland, New Zealand

Yes, Russia is a bully, but the truth is that Georgia started this

Richard, Bexhill, UK

It's like Serbia-Kosovo, the US want the Balkans. Also British wants the Balkans. However if the principle of secession has success also UK e US can be divided.The US and Israel support Georgia military.

licia, milan , italy

I live in an independent EU country and I'm SCARED. Russia might decide to come and "protect" the Russian minority here next..wouldn't be the first time to see Russian tanks in our capital. Oh sorry, I forgot, in 1944 they "liberated" us and what was it about in 1991 now..something noble, I'm sure

Triin, Tallinn, Estonia

Russia has to be stoped at all costs, as if they control all th gas and oil reserves the west will be forced to beg an kneel to a despotic government in the Kremlin which has changed very little since the time of Stalin. Democratic nation ha! Democracies dont go to war with other Democracies!

kyle smith, bristol, uk

Those who start it will have to face consequences.Afterall russia's policy is to give it back twice if somebody attacks them.

raghavan, Nagpur, India

i dont see anydifference to Kosovo. The whole world stodd still when Kosovo was taken from Serbia, and the will do the same with Georgia. It's propably part of a prearranged plan between the big boys.

Paris Hilarion, Nicosia, Cyprus

Ian,
religion has nothing to do with this conflict. Both Georgians and Ossetians are Christians. Otherwise they have nothing in common. South Ossetia became a part of Georgia only because Soviet bureaucrats thought it would be more convenient – The Big Caucasian rifle divides Ossetia in two parts.

Alex, Riga,

im rooting for the underdog, and from the little i know both contries showed hostilities but russia a little more so...

Toby Barrett, Reading, England

Hungary all over again. Russia is still the major threat to world peace, invading when and where she will. We're going to need those missiles before long.

Ian, Berwick, UK

Any Russian citizen remember Chechnya? So Russia had right to keep this territory with his forces but when Georgia is doing it then it is war crime and Russia have right to kill Georgia citizens? In name of peace ofc.

Paweł, Pszczyna, Poland

For Alan of Belgrade: Georgia has an independent history which pre-dates its incorporation into Tsarist or Soviet Russia by many centuries.

George, Montrose, UK

It's the Yanks again sticking their noses in where there not wanted, training the Georgian army and giving them weapons, and that stupid little country called England that still thinks its a super power that deprives it's people of medical drugs.

John, London, England

Lads from NATO, Couple such allies as Georgian (today's )politics, and you will not need in enemies....

Galina, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

"The Wests Puppet ally"? Forgive me for propogating racial stereotypes, but as far as I know Georgians are about as much anyones 'puppet ally' as are Sicilians or Orangemen.

Eric Skelton, Cardiff, Wales

Sorry, this time do not blame the Russian Bear! Georgia had this coming whether you like it or not!

Mike, Coventry, UK

How to determine, where is "separatists" and where is "fighter for freedom"? As I see:
ossetian - separatist
chechen - fighter for freedom
kosovo's albanian - fighter for freedom
abkhasian - separatist
WHAT IS RULE?

Alexander, Moscow,

To all Russians speaking here:
Stop your self-bleaching propaganda.. It`s not about poor russian citizens.. It`s all about oil.. I`m sad for your politicians that they can`t resolve their problems without using force..

Marcin, Wroclaw, poland

Russia wants the world to respect Serbia's sovereignty. Yet they INVADED a country with NO JUSTIFICATION. Peacekeepers meddling in another country's affairs is no justification for invading. I'm sure Russians are getting the truth from Vlad and the state media I'm sure. Just like Soviet times.

Brian Sporrer, Stuttgart,

England is not portraying a fair and un-biased view of the war, that the so called 'war-lord' Russians have caused.Russia has no advantage.The people that Russia has so called 'attacked' are RUNNING TO RUSSIA.Now why would they do this if Russia was the aggressor?Go listen to Daddy USA,democratic UK

Holly, London, England

Who seriously thought the old KGB mentality was gone? Russia has always sought to dominate its neighbours. When the Russian economy is weak, they go quiet and accept handouts; as soon as they come into some money, their real nature resurfaces.

Jerry, Rennes, France

At the moment there is a drastical flow of refugees from the South Ossetia to Russia (~30000 people). Guess why they don't want to go Georgia.
Tskhinvali was ruined utterly by Georgian artillery. About 2000 people were killed. That's why South Ossetia would never agree to become a part of Georgia.

Vladimir, Moscow, Russia

A few remarks. There is no religious reason for this war, as Georgians, Ossetians and Russians have the same religion (Orthodox Christians). The war was started by Saakashvili's attack on Tskhinvali on 8.08.2008. Not by Russia. I am afraid the only way to end it is to get rid of Saakashvili regime.

Dr Theodore Voronov, Manchester, UK

Mdy....., is information warfare in which some countries (Georgia, USA, etc.) in every way trying to denigrate Russia.
Why is not Russian news in silence the fact that Georgia initially blocked all communications and then treacherously attacked Ossetia.

Oleg, Murmansk, Russia

People, have you no shame? There is outrageous lie and there is facts… Georgia attack independent from it for 15 years civilian region in midnight in the day of opening Olympics with missiles and battle-planes, attacked purposely peacekeapers in region...

Pavel, Krasnodar, Russia

Nino from Georgia

Did you speak out against you compatriot Georgians when they were oppressing the Abkhazians, Ossets and Adjars or were you silent? You know what you say is correct but it also applies to Georgians. What goes around comes around.

Tom, Wesport, USA

I just hope that Saakashvili will be finally punished for all this genocide! He is not better than Miloshevich. And South Ossetia desrves not least than Kosovo the independence taking into account how Georgians bomb their cities and villages and kill civilians!

Evgeny, Moscow, Russian Federation

oh! God!The reality is that Saakashvili FIRST bombed Tskhinvali on the Day of the Olimpian Games! Georgian soldiers SHOOT Russian Peace-making armies, peacful population FIRST and AFTER this only Russia moved army there to prevent further distraction.Remind Kosovo,and the US position in that case!

Maria, Yoshkar-Ola, RF

russia, to use sporting parlance,is "at it" putin and medvedev are seeing what they can get away with. they backed the ossetian seperatists encouraging them to take pot shots at the georgian army. the georgian army defended itself.

the world needs to stand up now or it will be ww3

will, grimsby, uk

All this happened before, all this is happening now. Russia is a vicious, backstabbing country that always tried to impose its will on smaller and weaker neighbours. This is called imperialism. Remember what happned in Hungary in 1956 and in Czechoslovakia in 1968.

Tomasz, Krakow, Poland

President Saakashvili chose his time carefully for the major attack on Tsklinvali and appears to have shelled the town indisciminately killing up to 2000 civilians. Under those circumstances the Russians could not avoid retaliating and the West should stay out of this.

Trevor Greenwood, Vancouver, Canada

I've read and watched western mass media recently and i should say that's absolutely ridiculous. you there have total information prejudice, animus on the same or even hiher level, as we had in ussr. just write to my email to discuss an alternative point of view!

Amir, Moscow, Russia

US needs to start expelling illegals coming from Russia and approve no more visas. They bring too many crime gangs and alcoholism. Give me many hard working central americans over allowing russian federation drunks to come and dress badly in nightclubs. Pawnshops always out of gold chains too.

chris, Phoenix, USA

This is another case of Western double- face...Georgia got all the military supplies, training and support from NATO and US, sent it's troops to allied missions...yet once Russia attacks, everyone in the west washes their hands off. The same happened with Czekoslovakia and Baltic states. Shame.

Vidas, Vilnius, Lithuania

I just wonder why all democratic countries kept silence yesterday when Georgian forces razed to the ground Tskhinvali - are women and children dangerous separatist too? And why no bbc reporters in Tskhinvali?

Isaac, Afula, Israel

Georgia+USA
Russia+South Ossetia>
Russia>>Georgia

Finn, Krakoff, poland

<<“We have Russian tanks moving in. We have continuous Russian bombardment,” President Saakashvili>>

But he do not say, that they move only after destroing Tskhinvali by Georgia.

Alexander, Moscow,

Its better that US and its allies not to interfere what Russia is doing ,Russia not interfered so called story of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Russia & gorgia settel it.US has a habbit of interfering in other countries matters with their own business needs, Iraq being turned in grave land

ronnie, london,

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I wasn't a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.

Nino, Tbilisi, Georgia

"...And what of the future? Orkney and Shetland in Scotland, native-Americans in Quebec?...
" Are you in doubt?.. Calm down, everything will be "fine". USA will help! By all means... Wait for a time, till WASHington would clean Asia, Balcans and Caucasus for their "DEMOcRACY". Then - EU's turn.((

Oksana, Moscow,

Simple, there are despotic nations(China,USA,Russia,Israel ) who wouldn't doubt to use forcee to get what they want.
The rest of the nations, notorious or modest, they take part of the feast according to motivations.
Let's get them out of UN asap.
Culture+dignity+food for all will bring peace.

Humberto, Malaga, Spain

darren, London, UK: And this is the saddest. If you people will find and read the history of the Caucasus region, you will find out that there is no point to speak of "territorial integrity" of Georgia with these respublics, since they have never been a part of Georgian nation except Soviet times.

Tina, Moscow, RF

How on earth did Russia, which has been trying to dismember Georgia, end up with "peacekeepers" there? Anyone who imagined they were peacekeepers instead of provocative thugs had rocks in their head.

Mark, Sydney, Australia

Remember Tibet.
Answer me - why Georgia can do the same as China? Ossetians wants live free at own land. Georgia doesn't allow them. So called democracies can't really help Tibet rebels but support them and blaim Russia for helping another people who want live free.

Dmitry, Moscow, Russia

Whatever happens I hope, and I am sure all you Europeans do too, that the US does not get involved. Europeans are full of hate for America for our intervention in other people's business. If Obama wins here, you can count us out of your business. So you worry about the oil do you?

Sulivan, Sarasota, USA

well all i can say is if they can talk that they must they must think about people living in there not only the pride they are carrying all people in there in there is scared of whats going to happen? so they must end up this war.i know im not from that countries but i feel that they are feeling nw.

hana, cebu , phils.

We are not killers! We are not dictators! The movement in Georgia is an absolutely adequate response to Georgia's attack, that has been occured on 08.08.08.The majority of western audience don't even know the reality because of silence in their media.

Lisa, Moscow, Russia

Secessionists? Why is the West not supporting the Secessionists this time?

ian cheese, london, uk

John, both sides are the same religion. Russian Orthodox.

darren, London, UK

Another Chechnya... Lets see if the citizens who seek their right to identity are labeled freedom fighters or (Islamic) terrorists.

John Smith, London,

There are lots of historical parallels when minorities within small nations don't want to be part of theirindependence movements: Protestants in north-east Ireland, Kosovans in Serbia, Russians in Moldova. And what of the future? Orkney and Shetland in Scotland, native-Americans in Quebec?

Richard, Bexhill, UK

The Russian comments here show clearly what Georgia and the World are up against. 'Great Russia', ha! The Moscovite Empire was and remained the single greatest obstacle to world peace for centuries. Murderous conquerors they are. Time for the West to recognize independence of Chechnya!

Andas, London, UK

Russia has the UN mandate for peacekeeping in the region. It was issued in 1992. Georgia has started warfare to "establish its constitutional order". As Georgia has refused to cease fire after a number of warnings, Russia acts under the UN peacekeeping mandate, making Georgia cease fire by force.

Alexey, Moscow, Russia

Russia should follow the American Kosovo precedent. Bomb Georgian bridges, schools, factories, TV stations . Destroy the Georgian forces which killed 1,400 Osettians. Grab Saakashvili and try him in Minsk or Caracas

Marco Borg, London, United Kingdom

Sadly, even killing of all the Ossetians will not bring Saakashvili to a place like Hague as long as America turns a blind eye at all his atrocities.

Leon, Moscow,

It looks like the Bush Plan for World Domination of Oil Supplies is about to catastrophically fail. They have seriously underestimated the Russian character, resolve and history. They are actually humans too! Expect a fairly rapid decline in the American economy and Influence once this is known.

Chris, London,

I have no interests or bias toward russia or georgia but I can see georgia has asked for this by using heavy bombardment on the rebel republic they have escalated the situation killing 1,500+ civilians and now this has provoked russia to get involved. Georgia is paying for its act of war.

Raj Kumar, London, United Kingdom

Also, South Ossetia has never considered itself to be a part of the Georgia. In 1990, when Georgia has self-separated from the USSR, South Ossetia has decided to stay as part of the USSR. Georgia has refused to be heir to the Georgian SSR (which South Ossetia was part of).

Alexey, Moscow, Russia

Question: how many ossetian civilians Saakashvili must murder to end up in a place like Hague?
I don't know the answer. But I'm afraid all the Ossetians are not enough.

Leo, Moscow,

The Georgeans have massacred 1,400 civilians in one night, shortly after declaring truce. Should they have been allowed to kill the rest of the 70,000 people living there?

Many of the victims were Russian citizens. What would UK or US do if their own citizens were at stake?

Walid Ahmad, Dubai, UAE

With this sort of conflict, it is easy to apportion blame. Both countries had a responsibility to prevent this. Sadly Russia seems bent on demonstrating military might rather than negotiating prowess. Spare a thought for the innocent civilians who will die for this madness.

May Peace prevail.

Philip Murphy, Coon, Ireland

"In Osetia the majority have a Russian citizenship, what is happenig in Osetia is called Genocide by Georgia"

What by what right did they gain Russian citizenship? Russia against international law gave them citizenship - that was an act of war against Georgia - Thankfully the Russian race is dying

Alexander, London,

It is crucial to understand that Russian Federation is the only country trying to end bloodshed in Osetia. The other world is watching these events like a show or a soap-opera, while people are being killed. All predictions about further invasions in Ukraine or Baltic states show emotions, not facts

Andi, Moscow,

So far 1.400 Ossetians killed by Saakashvili. What is it going to take Misha to be disavowed by his overseas employers? To eat all Ossetians alive?

Art, Moscow, Russia

If you want to know which country started the war, look where refugees are going to. And they are fleeing to Russia away from Georgian slaughterers.

Konstantin, Moscow,

Do you think Angela Merkel will now have learnt the lesson that trying not to offend a mendacious bully only encourages them.

Peter, London, England

Georgia attacked our people. We retaliate, and the world tells US to back off. Why us? All we are doing is merely defending our people from a nation with nothing but terrible intentions. I say that this is all for the best, we will of course dominate Georgia, and show the world our new power.

Vladimir, St. Petersburg, Russia

i don't think russia will win the war because russia is wrong(neprav)because south ossetia doesn't russian historical land.russia always wants to show it/s power

Kamran, Baku, AZERBAIJAN

USA has no right to intervene in this matter. Rice, please, mind your own business in Iraq!

Anton, St. Petersburg,

No, Ian, for once this has nothing to do with religion.

Laura, Boston, USA

When other country vows to find non-military solution of the conflict and NEXT DAY, without warning, it kills your citizens with weapons - what would be your response as self-respecting country? I do believe that my country has right to protect its own citizens and I do support such response.

Dmitry, Arkhangelsk, Russia

all that happens is purely hunting for oil! what will be next? hunt for north siberian resources? Provoking a war in Surgut or Tumen? work out your own resources and leave the GREAT RUSSIA alone! Please ask France and Germany what it is - to start a war with Russia. They know it quite well.

Katya, Moscow, Russia

This is what most british soldiers present and past said could one day happen, and what has the government done with the troops, manyb wonderful regiments gone.

This is Russia flexing its muscles but it will not be easy for the US and UK to do what they did with Iraq or what will happen to Iran

Ian, Brighton, UK

It's amazing how many fake "western" supporters of Russia there are, spooky even. These people with supposedly British or American-sounding names who suddenly pop out of the woodwork whenever Russia is criticised. We know you don't exist, so just give up!

Robert C, London , UK

It is funny how official position of the West is without any moral or ethical strength: West ,without any authorisation,destroyed Serbia to help separatists,do not forget,(ilegal state of)Kosovo is the oldest part of Serbia,hijacked by Albanians.Now Ossetia is ANOTHER story,and Russia is "evil USSR"

Dusan, Belgrade, Serbia

For Hans from Berlin, Germany

Hans, to assume that Georgia will fall and to further assume that other countries are next in line, is to completely ignore not only Western influence but China's influence as well. The time of the USSR is long gone..it is not returning

John Bob Meister , London,

For Keith S. from Winnipeg, Canada

Disagree with Bush all you want, but don't make sweeping statements that are absolutely historically incorrect. Bush did not set the precedent for unilateralism of the major powers. What about the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan ('79)?

John Bob Mesiter, London,

Mine support for Georgia.

Hardo , Tartu, Estonia

Russia needs to remove its imperialist war machine from Georgia. The only reason why some parts of Georgia want to seek independence is because Russia put its citizens there. Yet Russia is first to cry when Chechnya seeks independence. Typical Russian warmongering and hypocrisy! RUSSIA OUT!

Katie, London, UK

Again West reared Hitler. But Caucasus isn’t Europe. In 1992-92 russian and chechen volunteers had been fighting hand in hand against Georgian Nazism in Abkhazia. Now you will see the same. As all Caucasus people want retaliation for death of ossetian children and women so they do it

Rukhtin, Krasnodar, Russia

Nato and EU must deploy a huge amout of troops and build new bases in the former soviet countries. We cannot allow the russkies to do the same with poland, estonia or the czech republic. we must protect those countries' freedom.

Horace, Florence, Tuscany, Italy

If USA can attack countries, that "have a nuclear weapon" and be right, could we protect respublic who want to be an Indipendet and be a hero, couldn't we?

Andre, Moscow, Russia

This series of events demonstrates, once again, sadly, the utter futility of the UN.

S. Barraclough, Huddersfield, W. Yorkshire

Most of South Ossetia's citizens are Russians. Most of them want to be independent and under the protection of Russia. They have been this way since 1992.

Why is Georgia provoking problems there? Georgia is to blame 100% for what is happening. It's a shame that Georgia and Russia are fighting.

MK, Oklahoma, USA

The most amazes me the comments from USA. What right USA have to invade Iraq that doenst have US citizens on its territory, no border of USA...and they look at Iraq as a "threat".Please stop ! In Osetia the majority have a Russian citizenship, what is happenig in Osetia is called Genocide by Georgia

Tania, Barcelona,

Forgive muy ignorance - but is religion anything to do with this conflict ? It normally is.....

Ian, Glasgow, UK

Well, this is all what Russia was waiting for. Now when the Georgian case will be fixed, I guess the Ukraine is the next. See superpowers come to rule this World once again. The times of US domination is going to its logical end.

Hans, Berlin, Germany

Georgia has sowed seeds of hate and hostility. Now it is reaping the fruits. They did not win any war during all of their history. God bless Russia. See Russian tanks in Tbilisi.

Dmitry, Moscow,

Western leaders are clearly itching for a fight with Russia and are guilty of provoking George. Get ready for WWIII! But bear in mind that the West is not as strong as it thinks as it has been severely decimated by the "WalMart"/globalist/lowest bidder/cheap/worship the Gold Calf/media mentality.

Michael P., Henderson, USA

The United States has further moved to counter Russian Military responses to an attack upon Iran’s nuclear facilities, and which have been built and financed by Russia, by igniting the flames of Total War on Russia’s very doorstep in the Caucuses by turning their loose their puppet ally Georgia to begin attacks upon South Ossetia.

John, Manchester, UK

Sadly George Bush set the precedent for major powers to invade unilaterally, another legacy of his Attack on Iraq.

Russia's imperialism is third only to that of the USA and China.

NATO had UN approval (Sec Cou Res 721) to intervene in the former Yugoslavia. The USSR, oops, Russia, has no approval.

Keith S, Winnipeg, Canada

For more than 10 years russians peacekeepers have stood between georgians and ossetins and have kept shaky peace in this region. Yesturday they were attacked by georgians with tanks and heavy artillery. Now 12 russian peacekeepers reported killed more than 50 wounded. What response did you expect?

Sergey, Tomsk, Russia

If the west fails to protect Georgia, then Poland, Ukraine, Baltic States, will have no faith in us to protect them.

If we don't protect them, they won't help protect us. They will knuckle under to Soviet, err, Russian bullying.

Many people have died in all these countries, and some were Russian.

Keith S, Winnipeg, Canada

Lets not have any involvement, this country is far to pigish to mess with, none of our business, stop quiet and let others speak our opinions. Russia is very good at picking arguements, the relations with britain are too unstable for us to speak out.
It sounds as though its the oil they're after!

cd, shrewsbury,

Russian mission is to clean world from Hittlers one of them is Saakashvili.

Rukhtin, Krasnodar, Russia

More than a thousand killed, it is obvious here that Osetins are a minority terrorized by their own government, so they should be granted an independence. Isn't that what we did in Kosovo? The same way NATO bombed Serbia, Russia now should bomb Georgia and give freedom to those poor people.

Asif, Sjenica,

This is disgusting and despicable. Georgia now. Ukraine next. I am disgusted with this country.

Lara, Morristown, USA

This could well be the place where the super powers meet to fight over whats left of the oil. War is never any good for the people, but is generally very lucrative for those who started it.

Udo, Melbourne, Australia

Please, don't show Russia this way. Nobody is klling Russian citiziens in Ukrain, France or US for example. 1400 russian citizenes were killed by Gergian troops in 1 night. What kind of response would you like to see?

Vadim, Spokane , USA

dignity.did Saakashwilly invade Russia?I thought citizens of russia live in russia, or maybe whenever there is russian minority , there is a russia?Litva .lotva,estinia?besides it was not Saakashwilly but Gruzja all the people, as oposed to russia which means putin and few goodfellows.OILOILOILOIL

PAV, chigwell, uk

hope Russia will invade Georgia as all this is the fault of the inept stupid and barbarous nation call the usa of America. bread and born by the falling empire call Britain and engender by the suicidal civilization call the western world. the credits condolezza rice and beans has are disgusting.

bremont noblot, paris, france

Saakashvili is Hitler #2. Unfortunately, Russia is really patient with him and Georgia in general. Russia should do heavy bombardment of Georgian forces and the war will be over. It's better to do that right now instead of having years of shooting similar to Chechnya.

Steven, Melbourne, Australia

Saakashvilli should be charged with commiting a War Crime for shelling a city at night and killing hundreds of innocent civilians. Russia should make sure it gets him, dead or alive. Bush and Condolezza Rice, the "Russian expert" are behind this gambit. Why? To destabilize the whole region.

C. Alexander Brown, Ottawa, Canada

russian peacekeepers? who are they? they keep preace where?I have not heard any Un or Nato peacekeepers in that region. because of russia dont like when other country want to help fight "terrorists treat" from places who fight for INDEPENDENCE.

PAV, chigwell, uk

Yes, it's all about dignity - dignity to defend our land and ourselves. We gonna fight for our homeland, you fight for your "dignity", for old Russian glory, which you will never have again. US and Europe - support us not only because of oil but because we are RIGHT. Russia started this war!

mankaberdeli, Tbilisi, Georgia

Have you say? Have you heard - it was a Georgia which started the war in its territory against civil people and peacekeepers approved by UN. Most of the South Ossetian people are citizens of Russia, 95% of them have Russian pass! Georgion bombed people in hospitals and homes. Should I say any more?

Nikolay, St-Petersburg, Russia

Very simple Russia needs to act in accordance with international norms - it has failed to do so since to dissolution of the Soviet Union. Powerful neighbours have a responsibility to act relative to others. Russia fails to see this and continues to live in the past and Geogia needs to seek mediation

Stuart, London,

Andrey, you russians have killed civilians "in a very brutal way" in Chechenia, for example, just because they wanted to have their own independent country. Georgia is a soberain country as Russia is, and you russians have no right to interfere in their domestic affairs.

Pedro, alicante, Spain

Where are the protests of Russian imperialism? Oh I forgot its Russia, they are allowed to do whatever they like.

Glen, Toronto,

It's a pitty that all european and american people are like blind kittens because of western mass-media machine...

Is it real democracy when a news reader speacks about russian forces attaks while commenting video of georgian cannons bombing Tskhinvali?

I beg you - use your own brains!!!

Oleg, Moscow, Russia

Andrey. Since when has dignity been a concern to Russia and more to the point, when has it ever worried about its people being killed. God forbid it has brutally murdered and starved to death more of its own over the past ninety-years than any other country in history. Tens of millions in fact.

Richard Crow , Warsaw, Poland

I'm not ignorant of Russia. I lived in St Petersburg for a year, and learned a lot about its culture. Russia sees the world as a zero-sum game. Europe needs to stop acting like the Chamberlain of the 21st century. You cannot appease Russia. it will just learn that you are weak.

Andy Thomson, London, UK

Many Russian have tried to justify this attack.

Any kind of attacks and killings can not be justified.

Andrey said "it's about dignity".
For your diginity, should you need to kill people who are not related to militia?

It's very ridiculous thinking.

Sung-oh, London, Korea

Russia will do with Georgia what US did with Saddam- except they will imprison the mad fool who thought that Georgia in a typical fascist cowardly surprise attack would present Russia with a fait accompli. Georgia will be 'occupied' by Russia -just like the US occupied IRAQ.

Benedict, Belgrade, Armenia

Russia is an imperialist bully!

mike, cardiff, wales

this is part of a reassertive Russia. The west must act to prevent another cold war. It's blatant military aggression. It'll be Azerbaijan next until Russia can dictate economics to the west. A 21st century problem with a 19thcentury adversary. The great game has started again.

jake, highlands, uk

Russia has all rights to intrvene in Georgia as thay citizens are killed in Saakashwilly's atampt of etnic cleansing.He is directly responsable for death of 1500 people and should be procecuted by war crime tribunal.@JOHN ATLANTA please wake up and get real,Rambo is just fiction.

Marko, London, UK

All this was being done while the Olympics were coming. I can't help but be a little bit angry at Moscow right now. The big bully Russia is again on the march. Somewhere Stalin is smiling in his grave.

Gary, Hartford, USA

Western Coverage: weak and biased
Russian Coverage: state scripted and biased

Meanwhile, Putin and Bush toast each other in Beijing, while all of Georgia (proper and Ossetia) burn. Nice one.

Shura, Kyiv, Ukraine

We saw a well-planned, well-timed invasion by Georgia of a country which doesn't want to be ruled by the Georgians. Now the Russians have the Kosovo precedent to adopt. Bomb bridges, factories, roads, schools , TV stations and use of depleted uranium. And bring the wannabe Stalinino to justice.

Marco Borg, London, UNited KIngdom

nikolai

no, georgia are fighting a bigger country, not a superior one.

if the world doesnt stop russia now, they sure wont stop themselves. the best we can hope for is they hold us to ransom over oil and gas, the worst is ww3.

bush/obama/mccain and brown need to learn from the 30's

will, grimsby, uk

Georgia has shown imaturity and stupidity. Its forces killed innocent people just by assuming USA is backing. Georgia and its prez showed agressiveness which MUST have consequence .
As a neutral person, I fully support Russian action and its prez. Georgia made mistake n must teach a lesson by Rus.

Garry, Winnipeg, Canada

If the US can protect its interests anywhere in the globe why cant Russia at its door???

scotsman, glasgow, scotland

Funny how nobody draws any parallels about this and the supposed illegal 'Tibetan occupation'.

M.Tee, Shenzhen, China

I can not understand all major western TV channels that call Georgia a "prowestern country" in their broadcastings. Since when killing of thousands civilians with bombs, tanks and airplanes; leveling villages and towns became the policy of the "democratic West". I guess it always was their policy.

Igor, Phila,

This isn't Chechnia and the world isn't going to sit back and watch Russia destroy Georgia. How is this going to play out in Poland, Lithuania, the Ukraine etc? Russia may want to support what it sees as a freedom movement (and I don't know if it is or isn't) but they are on a dangerous course.

Mark Jones, Cardiff, Wales

Congratulations to President Medvedev and Godspeed the Russian 58th Army's response to Georgia's criminal adventurism

John mc, San Francisco, CA

Although technically Russia is an invader because it accepts the territorial integrity of Georgia, practically, it is as much an invader as NATO in Yogoslavia or USA in Iraq or Afghanistan. Well, actually, even less because Russia did have its direct national interests ACTUALLY affected...

Mikhail, London, UK

Speaking about oil and gas - there are no Russian interests in the region that concern either of them, but there are Georgian interests. So technically, it is blood for oil.

Mikhail, London, UK

Lenin grandsons, STOP your tanks and get out from Georgia!

Alex, Toronto, Canada

its not about osetins - bunch of criminals and militia supported by russian army hold hostage the whole territory of osetia hostage..
georgians just wants to make order in their country - russia is again trying to occupy foreign country

Dmitry, Moscow, Russia

Russians! Get out of there. It's not your sphere of influence anymore. Leave the Georgians to sort it out themselves.
There isn't anything called the USSR anymore!
The west needs to step in. They can't let Russia walk all over their neighbours.

Paul, Ireland,

You cant get your dignity back by killing other people .. you only disgrace yourselves

Thomas, Shanghai, China

I wonder if UK Defence/Mi6 knows that China/Russia have a plan to displace the mighty USA?
This plan is shown in A.C.Valdez's 1929 vision and A.A.Allens 1954 vision. Google my blog at Invader to Australia: visions and prophecies and you can get a confirmation of sorts that it might just happen.

G.Gibson, Sydney, Australia

Georgia wouldn't start this suicidal nonsense if it didn't have a promise of support from west. Yet another oil war. A proxy. What next? You should know the drill by now: Russia will destrsoy all 10 georgian warplanse, etc. Except, Yeltsin was a soft-minded alcoholic. Things are way diffrent now.

Abzats, Hawaii, HI

Remember back to Chechnya? Russia was fighting for a separate ethnic "nation" to be included in the Russian nation.

Don't you think it's hypocritical for Russia to be fighting Georgians to keep their territory, when Russia was doing the same thing a decade ago?

Griffin, New Haven, Connecticut,

This is of course the kind of Democracy Bush approves of, the oppression of civilians by armed force. It will play well to militant nationalists in Russia too. But it really represents a return to 19th century statesmenship, an old world order that failed over a century ago.

stuart munro, Seoul, Korea

Russia has to stop supporting separatists or it will loose her own national regions. Russia provokes all nations inside Georgia to rebel against central government which is imperialistic policy that will absolutely backfire! Stop the insanity!

Igor Kievsky, New City, USA

As someone who has lived and worked in Georgia, albeit 10 years ago, even then Russia was trying it's damnedest to destabilise Georgia by fighting against the oil pipeline going through it's natural route. They may not have the clout of the old USSR but are certainly the Regional bully.
Mike K.

Mike Kunz, Launceston, Australia

oh please who are we kidding the breakaway territories of USSR have always been part of Russia, instead they have now challenged and instigated terrorism and attacks on Russia citizens within their self proclaimed border. Russia is only protectng its citizens and maintaining what is rightly hers.

Alan, Belgrade, Yugo

behold europe and the world: by not reacting now on what is going on in Georgia you are bring the Devil to your doors.

Make no mistake, Russia is as hungry for the power as ever.
Georgia is only defending what is hers by right.

mia, Leeds,

The last thing the world needs in it's current climate is another Chechnya type of war. Saakashvilly would do well to employ his U.S.A. trained lawyer skills to negotiate an immediate cease - fire of hostilities. The Russian's should know better - the Caucasus has burnt their fingers in the past.

paul kelly, limehouse, england

South Ossetia doesn't want to be Georgian, Russia will obviously win (if the rest of the world don't intervene, and let's hope they don't!) so the Georgian's should just give it up now to save large-scale loss of life. So the Georgians won't be happy, so what, they don't live there!

Paul, London, UK

If another country, say..Iran...entered Afghanistan and in the process, killed American 'peacekeeping' forces, you can bet that the USA would strike Iran with everything it's got.. It's beyond hypocritical for the USA to condemn Russia for doing the same.

Karl, New York, USA

I was only 11 when Soviet tanks rolled over my beloved Czech country in 1968. But - I remember very well what was the sadness from it!

Zdenek, Jicin, Czech Republic

Russian must pay a heavy price for this bullying of its neighbor Georgia, a western ally. Russia must be made to understand that the era of USSR imperialism is over. The west should protect Georgia’s territorial integrity by any means and all its might or lose its credibility with NATO allies

John, Atlanta, GA

Like all events Eastern, reporting by the West is always questionable. Who is right, who is wrong, can never really be ascertained from the written word of Western media. Echoes of the Cold War linger on.

Dwight Vandryver, Scholar Green, Cheshire, UK

absolutly no need.granted wrongs might have been done in the past but this is no way to sort it out.
needs to sop before more civilians get murdered in the name of money and oil/gas
is this a sign of things to come?!

mike, manchester,

Our stupid government have given citizenship to osetians a few years before. Why? Now this mistake make us responsible for their lifes. Again russian soldiers would die for foreign interests.

Vladislav, Moscow, Russia

I hope Saakashwilly and his followers will rot in prison for the rest of his life for starting that slaughter!

Mihail, Moscow, Russia

Since the West supported break away republics in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo, it can't now criticise South Ossetia can it? What's the difference? South Ossetia seeking independence from Georgia is no different from Kosovo wanting out from under Serbia's rule.

Simon , London, UK

Just a Brushfire war in an effort to maintain global conflict as distraction from Western centric Economic Collapse under corrupt, usurped 'One World' style Governance.

Graham Stuart, Dumfries,

For years now Georgia has been trying to provoke Russia in every possible way. It started with Tbilisi supporting Chechen fighters, who found a safe heaven in the Pankis region of Georgia. And now it escalated to Georgians killing Russian peacekeepers with artillery.

Veniamin Nikolayev, Philadelphia, USA

The odd thing is that Russia does not officially recognize South Ossetia as anything but Georgian. Isn't crossing the border an invasion by Russia's own policies?

Brian Dell, Edmonton, Canada

georgia is TOAST,,,my friend lives in north ossetia and she cant sleep cuz of the helecopters flying around,,,she said that she saw a flow of russian tanks rolling towads south ossetia,,, i wish that georgians knw wht they got them selves into,,,they r in a conflict with a superior country,,,,

Nikolai, ST.Petersberg, Russian Federation

It is not about oil, it's about dignity. They killed our civillians, citizens of Russia and did it in a very brutal way. I hope Saakashwilly will have enough brains to excuse and stop fighting.

Andrey, Moscow, Russia