to Evan, Columbia US
I can say the same about you, Americans. You speak about freedom but there is no freedom at all.You wanna say US mass media are unbiassed?

Alex, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

What kind of "proved atrocities" you would fancy? A documentary? Watch Russian media for a change.R has to stay in Tshinvali to guarantee the civilians getting back to their homes (not many left) and bury their dead relatives at least. Who's ready to shelter them in case mad Saak gets of hooks again

Mariya, St.Petersburg, Russia

Thanks for the link Vitalij. I suggest that we all do a bit more research. Read reports from countries all over the world, especially neutral places.

The mass media tries to offer only a limited number of biassed opinions. We are all disinformed, but we have the internet. Please go research!

Mary, Isle of Man,

Upon reading the whole story from Wikepedia, timesonline,etc., about the history of Georgia and what is happening now, the conflict is in fact territorial. If Georgia gave freedom to Ossetia,i guess it will not end to fighting. Since, Georgia made the first move on that battle,they should be punish.

Justina, San Francisco, USA

More than 2000 people dead and about 30 thousand misplaced, this is not acceptable in this 20th Century. Russia and Georgia, must with immediate effect, resolve thier differences through dialogue. Those bodies lying unburied in the streets of Georgia, are human beings. The war is not the answer.

Maurice, Durban, SOUTH AFRICA

georgian president asked his army to kill many people.then he said he needs peace. He is craze or not.

COCO, SHANGHAI, CHINA

Now we know about Vladimir Putin as terrorist leader not only in Georgia but also every country he always supports the terrorist movements everywhere in the world such as Iran, N. Korea,Burma & Zimbabwe. In the UNSC Russiaenvoy always stands on the side of terrorist group using veto to destroy peace

John, La Jolla, USA

Georgia did attack South Ossetia first, however Georgia has calling for a cease fire, and Russia is now the aggressor. Is it really worth the US and Russia to go to war. It would not be in the best interests for either country. It will be interesting to see how this developes.

Samuel, Rapid City, US

to mrs.Karol:
what are you going to say about united states in iraq huh? war for democracy ? so think double before blaming someone.

p.s. i can feel your anger. many polish people dont like russians since ww2 (molotov & ribentr.) and dont blame you.also i can point to some polish gvmnt trics.

john, denver, usa

well tot eh guy who said russia wants control over all oil and gas in europe well they will have to go to war for it and georgia offered a ceasfire agreement and russia ignored it and russia has killed inocents look like to me that the US UK and EU are going to have to step in to stop this

Matt, keighley, united kingdom

ww3 here we come

Matt, keighley, united kingdom

The only way to get Putin to respond is to threaten taking away the Olympics from him. Georgia did nothing wrong - they tried to get innocent villages who were being attached out of the region. Noticing that Russia was building up troops. Russia is bombing areas taht are not in dispute now!

natasha, new york, usa

To mr Alex from London(?)
It is and it was always war Russia and their former Republics. Even when Basajew was fighting agains Georgia he was doing it with weapon from Russia and with Russian support. Russia want control all gas and oil in Europe that it is simple fact.

Karol, Katowice, Poland

Ossetia & Abkazia wants to be independed, what about Chechnya, Dagestan? Why Russian given to Ossetians, Abkazian russian passports? Its mean that Checnya for russian, but Ossetia not for Georgian...

leila, Dubai, Georgia

Goncalo, Hämeenlinna, Finland: "Remeber Finland: attacked by Russians after a false accusation of unprovoked aggression.
Remember Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland,etc." Yes, I remember these deeds... of a Georgian from Gori.

Honza, Prague, Czech Republic

Don't forget that Stalin was Georgian, and it is Saakashvilli who wants back the good'old'days !

It’s an obvious trick by Georgia to present Russia as one of the sides in the conflict. There are two sides in that conflict, Georgia and South Ossetia. Russia is just playing the role of peacekeeper

Alex , London, UK

mmm...
i've just read the article and i feel bad. But it isn't so horrifying as your comments.
There is a war now, people are dying, who were reading news, working, having fun like you before. The Olimpic Games are now, as you know. You're watching the Olimpiade, getting pleasure these days.

Alexandra, St. Petersburg, Russia

Its Not the truth.
It is a shame for Times...Idiots.
Do not stir, if you Dont know about THIS WAR.

Kotjar, Kazan, Russia

Guys! Osetins are absolutly adamant that they do not want to be part of Georgia.Why should they be denied their independence? Any valid reasons? Plus all big countries have their own "special" interests & act as they please, Just because they can.

Pam, St.Petersburg,

to Ian, Berwick, UK:

I am here and you see that WE, russians, can read news from all the sources worldwide and YOU from FP and Reuter only. :) So WHO is more free and more informed???

S.Petrov, Moskva, Russia

What status quo U R talking about? The ratio 12 to 1 and Georgia atack again more succefully? There is no trust to Georgia anymore. You think Osetians again will share the same state with georgians? Forget US "melting pot". This is Caucas with about 100 nationalities in permananet war.

Alex, Utrecht,

To those believing in "freedom" and independent press in UK and US. There is no independent mass media anymore, but there is mass influence. But at least we know it, learn your language and read your press. While some of you are like blind kittens blaming Russians victims of kgb propaganda.

Alexander, Moscow,

Russian peacekeeping troops were present in South Ossetia under the auspices of the CIS. Georgia, not Russia, provoked this conflict by its invasion of South Ossetia, resulting in the death of over 1,000 people. Russia's response has been disproportionate. I hope they return to the status quo.

Robert Brown, Atlanta, GA, USA

Ossetians are not Georgians...but neither are they Russians, far from being Slavs they are an Aryan Iranian people.

One solution is for Russia to evacuate Northern Ossetia, the Georgians to evacuate the South, hold free elections under the UN and create a new independent state to join the UN.

Dr Andris Lielmanis, Brampton, Canada.

Saakashvili killed around 4000 innocent people. Why western countries do no say anything about this? Russia is defending Osetia as it should be. Osetia and Abchasia are fighting against Georgia because they have such a right - be independent! Why none of western newspapers mention this?

Armen, london, uk

To Ian, Berwick, UK

What the named FP, Reuters etc are good in is being a tool to service Anglo-saxon oligarchy trying to set-up a total world order.

Alex, Gent, Belgium

I find all the Russian comments quite humorous. Do they really believe that the "news" they are getting is unbiased and trustworthy? Look at your track record regarding the "freedom of the press." Much of your news is heavily filtered, or at the least diluted, by your government.

Evan, Columbia, United States

To Sergey, Solnechnogorsk, Russia
You know, your government controlled news media tell you fairy stories. You have no free press. You need to look at uncontrolled worldwide agencies like Reuters, AFP etc

Ian, Berwick, UK

nobody actually talks about the fact that Georgia started bombing South Osettia (right after proclaiming the ceasefire on 7th of august) at 3 o'clock in the morning when most of peaceful civilians were sleeping!!!those were georgians who were bombing hospitals and schools,killing our peacekeepers!

Anna Barsukova, London, UK

Russia respects our neighbours. But then one crazy person kills 2000 people, we will not just watch, we will protect them. Because they are our citizens. Look at the map Michael, do you really think that we need more territory?? Did you study geography at school? We want peace!

Damir, Moscow, Russia

The so-called objective media should go to Vladikavkaz and Tskhinvali to speak to the refugees from South Osetia. If they really aim to be objectively reporting, they should show the attrocities caused by the indiscriminate Georgian shelling.

Volen, Sofia,

Yes, the only thing we all shoud retain in memory is one defenite fact: Georgia attacked first in order to return South Osetia. Osetia is de-facto independent from Georgia, but this situation doesn't suit Georgia, alleging that S.O. its own territory.

But Georgia did attack first!

Alex, Moscow,

It was a mass murder of the peaceful Ossetian people committed by the Georgian army ! Saakashvili does his best for his American salary. He must be convicted as a military criminal for this massacre. Earlier it was Iraq. Which people will be next one sacrificed by the USA rushing to oil resources ?

Pavel, Moscow, Russia

If Russia respected his neighbours, Georgia, Ukrain at first, and accept their choice to be closer to the West, this would have never happened. Serbia was punished and lost Kosovo because they want big Serbia, and attacked Croatia and Bosnia first. Russia want "Big Russia", they act same way.

Michel , Aix en Provence, France

to Will, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA . You also have got to realise that what Ossetians are doing right now is just what people of Kosovo succeded in. They want freedom and independence. From Georgia

Stas, St.Petersburg,

...Still, all reports in FT, CNN, NYT etc ignore this fact and reflect the official view of georgian president Saakashvili.German news channels are less biased: Russians did what was necessary. Mr Saakashvili should be taken Haag Tribunal.

Frank, Bonn,

All Hospitals near the border are full of injured civilians including children. Georgian troops destroyed nearly ALL homes in the capital of Ossetia.

Sergey, Solnechnogorsk, Russia

It is amazing! Georgian troops have killed over 1000 ossetian people in Tchinvali in one night, including 10 or 12 Russian peacekepers, who did not shoot. After the scale of the tragedy became obvious, a Russian army was ordered to cross the border next morning...

Frank, Bonn,

Guys, at first Georgia(on Thursday) ATTACKED ASETIAN CIVILIANS using rockets and killed 2000 of them and just AFTER THAT RUSSIA sent forces to Asetia!!!!!

Evgeniy, Eindhoven, Netherlands

Check out the article which is posted on this page in 'Related Links' tab: 'Bodies are lying everywhere. It’s hell’ . This will give you a different idea of what's really going on in Osetia.

Rita, London, UK

Saakashvili has just started a very cruel war. Without Russian assistance there could be another Ruanda in Ossetia. Unfortunately right now Russia is losing in information war, but please make sure - we will present the evidences of what this "the most democratic leader in former USSR" has done.

Vladimir Nazimov, Moscow, Russia

Vitalij, so you speak for all Lithuanians? I know many and they all destest Russia with a passion. They do not wish to become a part of Russia again, ever. Perhaps you do, and your wish may soon come true to the detriment of your fellow Lithuanians.

Mary , Suwanee, US

Russia was the heart of the mighty soviet empire , western policy makers tent to overlook that almost intentionaly , and that results into human casualties among former brothers. The russians will win this one along with all the future " encirclement attemps " , their violent reaction is justified

Nikos, Athens, Greece

To Aleksandra, Lublin, Poland:
Do you know that George is the part of CIS till 2006? ;-)
Please, read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CIS

Sergey, Moscow,

War is always a devastating tragedy. US and RF should work out a decision to end crisis. However, US is only making warning remarks. It would be better to cooperate with RF and impose political will on Georgian provokers to safe Georgian freedom and democracy. Time to get rid off anti-russian phobia

Andi, Moscow,

I feel pity for the people of UK&USA the media is so distorted and people completely brainwashed. There was a bloody indiscrimanate assault by Saakashvili. Live on CNN "The decision makers are away-great moment attack small country" Saak. Any questions. Saak&USA sponsor must be be brough to justice

Dan, Philadelphia, USA

In a couple weeks, after you will know all the reality, you will discover that most of western mass media are false and corrupted. And have nothing general with democracy

Antony Medvedev, Moscow, Russia

Rightly, Russia must completely neuter Georgian military and make certain Saakashvili is never again president of Georgia, but sitting in a brussels prison. Otherwise there will never be peace in this region. Thye were Czech weapons that leveled Tskhinvali, these people also must see justice.

Dan, Philadelphia, USA

For all condemners, as you support Georgia killing people to restore constitutional order you should support Serbia atticking Kosovo. But you wouldn't, certianly. If you consider yourself a civil society demonstrate this, make you governments to stop RF or you can only write comments

Andi, Moscow,

Funny. I am a Russian - and I think this war is a disgrace for Russia, and it should be stopped as soon as possible. However, so far things look like the Russian diplomacy has won this one - despite all biased presentations in the western media...'double standards' policy is SO apparent

Damira, Moscow,

Alex from Nizhny Novgorod,

You argue that Ossetians are not Georgians. This is true. However, you should realise that the Georgians are doing the exact same thing that Yeltsin and Putin did with the Chechens. They are asserting their sovereignty inside their internationally recognised borders.

Will, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

answer me this, who financed, armed and trained the South Ossetian Separatists then? weapons, ammo and uniforms don't just grow on trees...

pcooke, Gloucester,

S. Osetia IS part of Georgia - that is the fact. Russians say they send the army in Georgia on behalf of Russian citizens living there!?
Then they should send the army in Ucraine on behalf of Russians in Crimea... or in USA... or in UK (rich Russians)...
Don't forget - Russia flattened Checenia!

Mihailo, Podgorica, Montenegro

putin proves himself to be a bloodthirsty thug again

chun yung, london,

Georgian force had killed 2000 women, children and old people in sleeping Tshinvali in first night of their agression to S.Ossetia. Why western media don't say about that??? Only after that bloody night Russian force came to protect S.Ossetia from modern Hitler - Saakashvili.

Al, Moscow, Russia

EU and NATO should intervene right now. Russian aggression must be stopped. Second World War started by occupation of Poland and Baltic States. De ja vu? Wake up Europe!

Giedrius, London, Uk

Personally to: Vitalijs von Vilnius:
"Probably" and "well-known" - is a very weak kind of argument. However, it is a pure demagogy.

Use your imagination: Saakashvili's attacked civilians. Even now some Saakashvilis are in S. Osetia and continue killing civilians.

Russia has to enforce the peace.

Petrov, St. Petersburg, Russia

I'm completely astonished. People! Don't you understand, what is hapenning? Osetia people are not georgians! They are different nations! And thousands of the osetins were killed by georgian troops. Those killed people from the photos that are shown to you are not killed georgians, but osetins!

Alex, Nizhny Novgorod,

NATO should embrace Georgia now - this week...

This should create the desired stand-off

Richard, Bucharest,

What the Russians are doing now is in total contradiction with international norms as they are now escalating the war into the other regions of Georgia. If they really aims to provide the security of their "citizens" in Osetia, they have already now achieved it. The want to show that they are back.

Polad, Baku, Azerbaijan

Kick Russia out of the security council of the UN.

Richard, Bucharest,

Ian says "brutal treatment"???
I think he don't remember Iraq and Abu-Graib. Maybe BBC don't speak about bloody campain in Iraq for oil democracy. BBC also don't speak about thousands of serbs killed by NATO.
Ask the citizens of Dresden, Hiroshima, Nagasaki about "brutal treatment" from US army.

Dmitry, Novosibirsk, Russia

I really liked one Russian person's (from Siberia) opinion, that all the Russians are not like Russian government.
I jave also many Russian speaking friends and they all thinks that what Russia is doing in Georgia, is unacceptable!

Rait, Tallinn, Estonia

To Svyatoslav: EU and NATO are not in the right to act in S. Ossetia, the more Russia has no right to do it. What Russia is doing , is just violating the teritorial integrity of Georgia! Your country, pretending to protect S.Ossetia wants to incorporate it to CIS. And don't forget about Chechnya!

Aleksandra, Lublin, Poland

If your slate is clean then you can throw stones.

I don't think the issue should be who is to blame for this, or even who is right - but what is the best way of restoring a suitable and safe peace to protect the civilians.

Jean, UK,

For the brutal destruction and rape of South Ossetia, Mikheil Saakashvili must be charged with 'crimes against humanity' by the Hague Convention and Russia should offer a reward of say, US$10 million for the capture of this war criminal "dead or alive" (to borrow a phrase from Mr. Bush).

george, london, uk

About what restoration of the USSR do you speak? Russia are not the USSR, and we say goodbye to the past. Do not forget, that Stalin was the Georgian nation!

Ilyas, Kazan, Russia

If Georgias President insists that South Ossetia is part of Georgia why did he bombard and kill his own people?.He obviously knew the Russians would retaliate as they had peacekeepers there to protect their own countryman, which cannot be said of the President. He should be impeached.

Stanley Green, Colchester, UK

There is a big difference between English, US media stories and Russian news. I think English and us trying to dis inform locals, they hide facts, of Georgian mad aggression of first attack.I agree with what Russian government is doing at the moment. Its sad to see how US try to rule the world.Dirty

Sergei, Riga, Latvia

Kosovo set the precedent. Why not Ossetia? But they want to be Russian. Now the propaganda starts, as in Kosovo, crime is only commited by the side the West does not favour.
Of course when we maim and bomb, its collateral damage, when others do, its a crime against Humanity.

Taff, Newport , Wales

Sergey, Saint Peterburg, Russia asks:
"Why the British so dislike Russians and blame them constantly?"
Probably because many British see in Russian actions like in the mirror their own politics: Imperialism and Colonialism. Common disease of these countries.

Ann, Brighton, UK, East Sussex

to Aby, London: maybe if you could just experience the imperialism of Russia, you could understand these people. My country experienced it for many decades so I know how to inerpret these events.

Aleksandra, Lublin, Poland

I'm from Germany and I wonder, how speak the mass media in UK or in USA. Ok, we know, that these countries support with money and weapons the georgian armee, but it's very sad that they don't speak about what have done georgian troops. It's amaising!!! And you speak about Russian intervention ?

Olvier, Berlin, Germany

To:Jim, Miami , USA, as a Cypriot, I understand very well what You say!! But the difference is that the invading TURKS were and are members of NATO!! Hence those atrocities you mentioned were allowed, and blessed by Great Britain and the rest.

Nicos Varousis, Limassol, Cyprus

Does Bush want to continue the list of Napoleon, Hitler etc whom Russia knocked down? We don't want war. We all have friends or relatives in EU, my sister lives in US, I have russian-georgian-ukrainian blood. Whose side should I take? I'm shocked at our "brother" nations -Ukraine and Georgia acts.

Katya, Moscow, Russia

Even US administration is afraid to protect Saakashvili overtly, after what he's done to Ossetia. 3% of its tiny population is murdered by Georgians so far. What Georgia is trying to do IS genocide. Period.

Akomeko, Moscow,

It is surprising that a large number of readers here make unfounded accusation and a blind support of Georgia simply because of their irrational hate for Russia. Xenophobia perhaps?

Aby, London,

Obviously, Russia is loosing battle in mass media. Saakashvili has better info support.

2 Paul, Wieliczka, POLAND - ask forgivness to Saaakakshvili - Stalin and Beria (deputy of Stalin) were Georgians

Tarik, London,

Why EU, NATO and the United Nations Organization have not made anything to prevent Georgia's attack on S. Ossetia when there have not arrived yet the Russian tanks?
Why there is a photo of crying Georgian man and there is no about Ossetian?
Why the western mass-media calm about Georgia's crimes?

Svyatoslav, Moscow,

Why EU, NATO and the United Nations Organization have not made anything to prevent Georgia's attack on S. Ossetia when there have not arrived yet the Russian tanks?
Why there is a photo of crying Georgian man and there is no about Ossetian?
Why the western mass-media calm about Georgia's crimes?

Svyatoslav, Moscow, Russia

Pure "humanitarian" Mr.Saakashvili was assuring international diplomats he was not escalating crisis on dawn of 2008 Olympiad and related olympic truce. Yet he heavily attacked, with arrogance backed up by his US oil partners. Georgia's military expenditure was 35 million USD back in 2003.

Petros, Thessaloniki, Greece

Vitalij, Vilnius, Lithuania asks:
"WHY there is no information about how many civilians where killed by georgian army?"
Probably about the same as the large number of civilians killed by the Russian army - the Russian army is well-known for brutal treatment of non-combatant civilians.

Ian, Berwick, UK

2000 osetians civilian die now by Georgian troops. What for world people waiting for? This is genocide of russian citizens in S. Osetia. There are lot of volontears from chechnia, N.osetia, Dgestan and from all part of the world. All of them whant to protect S.Osssetian civilians from Georgian.

Mikhail Lavoshnikov, Moscow, Russia

Sergey, Saint Peterburg, Russia asks:
"Why the British so dislike Russians and blame them constantly?"

Perhaps because Russia is an invading force (with "humanitarian" tanks) and Mr Putin constantly talks of (and makes) war.

Sean, Coventry, UK

We changed the rules with the War of Lies and we're in no position to lecture anyone else. Is there anybody left with clean hands?.

joe reilly, spalding, England

To Paul T: Astroturfing?! Our government has completely muddled the PR campaign. The message must be simple: They killed 1500 Russian citizens overnight. It's Russia's Pearl Harbor and 9/11 wrapped into one huge 8/8. BTW, Russians on these forums get both sides of the story. Do you?

Anatoly, Moscow,

How sad to see Russian empire collaps, people suffered when the Russian expanded their territories, which was so close to Georgian-or- Ossetian, all communitis have to
suffer once again, who ever may take the blame?

Dawn may break for Ossetian community one day, with or
without help i am sure !

Cllr Ken Tiwari (Independent), Oxford , United Kingdom

USA and Europe are absolutely disinformed!!! USA and Europe Mass media are doing its best not to show the real things happening in Osetia and the re doing its best to show Russia as an agressor! More than 2000 civilians are dead in Osetia under Georgian fire. Is it fair? Open your eyes, guys!!!!!!

Maxim, Moscow, Russia

Why the British so dislike Russians and blame them constantly? May be they just envy. Great Britain was a great empire, but now it's a small country. It's strange but the British think they are the cleverest people in the world. Their logic is clear "we are right becouse we are very clever"

Sergey, Saint Peterburg, Russia

There is an on-line petition to the UN to stop the conflict


http://www.petitiononline.com/SthOstia/petition.html

Anthony Baynham, Sandbach,

I feel a little embarrassed for so of the contributors here. Firstly two wrongs don't make a right - Nato was wrong in Kosovo and the Russians are wrong now. These are real lives and freedoms that you are happily offering up as a sacrifice because of past Nato wrongs in Serbia/Kosovo. Shame.

Richard, Ireland,

WHY there is no information about how many civilians where killed by georgian army? (now there is more than 2000 South Ossetian civilians KILLED ! hospitals and schools where attacked) why mass media doesn't show us these numbers?
Isn't it an information war?

Vitalij, Vilnius, Lithuania

Even USa administration is afraid to protect Saakashvili overtly, after what he's done to Ossetia. 3% of its tiny population is murdered by Georgians so far. It IS genocide. Period.

AKomeko, Moscow,

The Turks did the same thing in Cyprus in 1974? who did anything about it? They are still occupying 37% of the island There are sitll missing in action people?anybody cares?

Jim, Miami , USA

People of the world, don`t be of the Russians! Politicians play their hypocritical games in any part of the world and it would be forever! Ordinary citizens are against the war. We don`t need our brothers and fathers fight and die for nothing. The USSR will never come back, we won`t let it! STOP WAR

Yulia , Surgut, West Siberia, Russia

International condemnation surrounds the incidental bombing of non-South Ossetian-based Georgian forces. Russia is systematically attacking wider Georgia, thereby extending this bloody mess.

Russia's military is a blunt instrument, hammering this tiny nation into submission. It's naked aggression.

Rene, London/Los Angeles, UK/US

The Lithuanian's governments opinion is only there opinion, most lithuanians doesn't support our government and if the goverment wish to start some actions against russia the government may take rifles and go and fight on Georgia side.

Vitalij, Vilnius, Lithuania

Saakashvili wanted involve US and EU get in war with Russia. But, you can to know, due to Russian actions at Ossetia West won't be involved in global war and can no worry.

Rukhtin, Krasnodar, Russia

Does somebody asked the South Ossetian people's opinion about his war? If you wish you can read it on their official site : http://cominf.org/english/

Vitalij, Vilnius, Lithuania

Hungary, Budapest 1956. Czechoslovakia, Prague 1968. The history of russian imperialism has repeated now in Georgia. Russia is a vicious, backstabbing country always taking advantage of weaker neighbours, why ppl in west Europe refuse to accept the fact that Russia invaded an independent state.

Tomasz, Krakow, Poland

I think it was about time for the Russians to stop the europeans to taking over the eastern block as this will make europe a more dangerous and selfish force for the countries which dont belong to their union. The enlargemenof european union makes other countries poorer, Europe even more selfish.

asghar, tablisi, afganistan

It would be very naive to think that the present situation is something that russia did not look for and Carl Bildt's comment says it all.
This mini-war is a source of excuses for later actions from all parties involved. The russian propaganda seems to work excellent for the domestic public.

Filip, Bucharest, Romania

If the majority of those in South Ossetia and Abkhazia want to join Russia, then Georgia should live with that decision. You can't force people to be part of your country if they don't want to.

It is also clear that Georgea is the aggressor here for killing 15 peacekeeping Russian forces.

Ahmed, New York,

Just for for those thinking that Russia is aggressor. Georgia is very poor country. Saakashvili himself gets salary from US (not a secret). Nevertheless last year they officially bought 74 modern tanks (attack weapon not defence) in Ukrain. WHY so many if not for fast victorous war he tried to make

Alex, Utrecht,

"No state has the right to intervene militarily in the territory of another state simply because there are individuals there with a passport issued by that state or who are nationals of the state."

Talk about double standards. Independence for Kosovo but none for South Ossetia. Disgraceful.

Gerard , Melbourne,

Russia don;t need to take control over whole Georgia. All they need is stop European plan to Build alternative to their gas and oli supply. They don't need control land. Russia is buying local gas company and build northern pipe. Now when Nabuko is dead they don't need Georgia.

Karol, Katowice, Poland

Could I suggest that we develop an exit strategy before we get involved this time.

Peter, Vancouver BC., Canada

Putin has said that the collapse of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical disaster of the 20th century -
I agree with him.

Ken Beard, Oswestry,

The Russians should spank the Georgian's all the way accross the Black Sea into the hague and hang any of their israeli "advisors". A totally unneccessry war.

Dave, London, UK

What I can not understand is why the West supports Kosovo breaking away from Serbia, and Chechnya from Russia, but in the case of South Ossetia these rules do not apply. Seems like double standards aimed against Russia which is hypocritical, unfair and backward looking.

Michael, Krause, Germany

Some hostory. Osetia and Abhazia were independent republics in the USSR. Stalin "presented" them to Georgia. Tnat means, that those regions are not belong to Georgia in past.Compare with Kosovo, which is NAtiv Serbia's land. I was in Abhazia:most people want to be Russians, they have double-citizens

Maria, Yoshkar-Ola, RF

I'll tell u what is really going on here,after the collapse of the USSR the world was better & safer.Gradually we began asking ourselves "What happened 2 us,the world used 2 give us respect because we could annihilate them,we want 2 be big boys again".Fragile egos=nationalism.We need 2 Grow Up!

Vlad, Moscow, Russia

You have only 3 photos of Georgian man crying over the body of his relative! Where are the photos from Ossetia? Why did Saakashvili stopped broadcasting of Russian TV Channels? This is your democracy? Then I don't want to live in a democratic state, where silence is the only God!

Ilya, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

It is interesting to see that media in the west that calls them selves free, objective, neutral etc. is so one-sided to report only the bombing the russians do. How about some reports and photos from the South-Ossetian capital so we can see the bombing georgian army did before Russia got involved?

Gerry, Hereford, UK

The long arm of the American hand in the back yards of other nations is the cause of the global problems we see unfolding,. Including the Credit Crunch, Globalisation, the War in Iraq, the mis-mash we have in Israel & Palestine.

Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK

To Edyta, Kilkenny.
Yes, you are right. For example English and Franche invasion of Russia in 1918-1921, or invasion of Iraq. So, look at yourself at first.

Jackov, Nowosibirsk, Russia

By masterminding this war American friends of Georgia have driven a stake through its heart (literally - see the map) with the hands of Saakashvili. What is Georgia to them indeed. Let alone South Ossetia. 2.000 people less or more. Every means is good to achieve your goal.

Leon, Moscow,

I think it is information war, first of all think before believe your mass media!

Airapetova Alisa, Obninsk, Russia

there has been something coming from moscow for a few years now, they have been looking for a fight with many people and there are many worrying similarities between the current russian goverment and the Nazis

jay, cardiff,

To YOU addressed for the help to stop war untied by Georgia against Ossetia.
To you addressed still that you HAVE stopped Georgia.
You have not accepted what measures.
The reason of war, Georgia is necessary -without the population. They destroy the osset peoples.

Vlad, Zelenograd, Russia

Hmmmmmm, in these comments do I espy an astroturfing campaign by Russian governments stooges? I think so.

Russia is clearly the aggressor. It is clearly trying, step by step, to bring all the territory of the old Soviet Union back under Moscow's control.

Poor Georgia.

PaulT, Prague,

To YOU addressed for the help to stop war untied by Georgia against Ossetia.
To you addressed still that you HAVE stopped Georgia.
You have not accepted what measures.
The reason of war, Georgia is necessary place-without the population. They destroy the osset.

Vlad, Zelenograd, Russia

It is clear that Russia wants to try and grab the territory that is part of Georgia. No doubt the "peacekeeping" troops that Russia put in Ossettia were only there so they could come up with an excuse to start a war. Russia is an aggressor and always will be, they speak with 2 faces .

alan, london, uk

So Georgia assaulted South Ossetia without the knowledge of the Governments of USA/UK and the military advisers/trainers they supply to Georgia Hmmm? The USA is governed by lunatics, but for Georgia or the Ukraine to be part of NATO is guaranteed trouble, Europe knows that & should never allow it!

Kevin Sullivan, Roehampton,,

People outside Russian Federation are totally disinformed. Every report from the conflict zone breaks our hearts and we grieve together with the Ossetian folk.

Anna, Moscow,

Anywhere that has bits of their country inhabited by lots of ethnic Russians can now expect those bits to declare independence .

The unsuspecting native residents of the Royal Borough of Chelsea, Kensington and Mayfair may be in for a bit of a shock.

Keith, Liverpool, England

I m from Ukraine and I have to say that all european media shows Russia as occupier but it s not like this. Why havent u got any interview with people from Ossetia? They are asking for help from Russa! Georgia has already killed hundreds of people (children and women too not men only)!

Anastasiya, Makeevka, Ukraine

Guys, stop talking about Gori! Have you seen what happened with Tskhinvali(S.Ossetia)? Sure you haven't. There is no western journalists there, because they can't even near the town. There is NO such town now! It's destroyed by georgian troops.
People are hiding there in cellars and can't leave it!

Olga, Moscow, Russia

The “beginning” of this latest saga was Russia’s deliberate destabilisation of South Ossetia. The question is whether or not it will be content, and allowed, to get away with the assimilation of that region alone.

Adrian, Portsmouth, United Kingdom

What seems to be missing from the comments is the apparent fact that 2/3s of the population of South Ossetia would prefer to be Russian rather than Georgian citizens, regardless of the bona fides of either the Russian or Georgian governments.

Ed Mullins, Exeter,

Russians are still under the illusion that they are one among the superpowers.By intruding into South Ossetia they have committed the same historic error that was committed by Saddam Hussein and his ilks. Hope saner sense prevails upon the Russians by way of withdrawal from the breakaway republic .

ravi , Bangalore, INDIA

We may not trust the russain government but i am afraid the Georgian government did start the killing so what did they expect. Why not do as we did in kosovo (if it was there) and let the osseitians vote under a UN controlled vote.

Seems fair to me!

James, southampton, uk

It is ridiculous to hear of disproportionate force from the NATO countries after their bombing Belgrade in 1999. It is ridiculous to hear of integrity of sovereign country after recognising Kosovo's independence. Russia has accepted the rules NATO set.

Maxim, St.-Petersburg, Russia

The situation when one country invades another under the pretext of helping local people was excercised many times throughout the history. The point is that it is always better to have a good excuse to invade other country and there's no better excuse than humanitarian help

Edyta, Kilkenny,

TO: Dmitry news in your country are writen by Putin, now Your president say's about genocide in osetia, can You tell me why russian refuse to call "Katyn forest" as GENOCIDE?
What did Your country in czeczenia? peace and love?!
Russians troops are killers and Your goverment are lier's!

POLAND!

Paul, Wieliczka, POLAND

Russia is playing extremely important role preventing georgian genocide on Ossetians. All the world must unite to stop fascist dictator Saakashvily and make him to get away from South Ossetia. Fascism NO PASARAN

Andy, Melbourne,

Not a clever move by the Georgian government, starting a fight with someone bigger, stronger and more experienced. They allowed themselves to be goaded into this and regrettably serves them right. Switch the brain on before the mouth and actions. If they expected help from the EU orUS bad judgement.

Dave Madley, Alicante, Spain

I'm sorry but it is the West that is playing politics with these peoples lives. The facts are that it was Georgia that initiated the conflict and it is now Georgia that is paying the price. One wonders what part the West in its insatiable land grab in the East had to play in this murderous debacle

R McAuley, Antrim, United Kingdom

Mr Bush and Mr Milliband asked for immediate cease fire and have sent representatives from US, Europe and Nato in the area.They haven't done the same when Israel invaded Lebanon a few years back.They only called for end to the hostilities when they realised that Israel could'nt win.How hypocritical

simon, Birmingham, uk

Well, can't expect anything else from Liars. IN Chechnia, Russian monsters killed more then 200,000 people in such a way that Hitler would envy them. Russian kill people for free, just because they hate everyone.

Vladimir,, Moscow, Russia

I freely admit I know little of the politics of the region. But it does seem the West is keen on "breakaway regions" when they want to be friends (Kosovo, Maccedonia, Georgia itself) etc, and then thinks "territorial integrity" is all the rage a breakaway regions feels close to Russia.

nick, France,

In a shameful, self-serving gamble for power, Saakashvili has squandered thousands of innocent lives - and with covert CIA encouragement...! Bet on it...!!!

John Jay, Walton on Thames, UK

Well the EU NATO et al have let down Georgia - why should ex eastern bloc countries look to us for support any more.

Richard, Newton Abbot,

Are we to give credibility to the informations and statements put forward by the Russian Government? After decades of lies and deceit coming from that country?
Remeber Finland: attacked by Russians after a false accusation of unprovoked aggression.
Remember Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland,etc.

Goncalo, Hämeenlinna, Finland

The West are quite ill-informed. I am from the far-east, a neutral. Georgia is the aggressor, using the army to kill innocent civilians. Georgia should be punished!! Blast them!!

A, Singapore, Singapore

Is my memory playing tricks or do I remember Western air forces bombing Belgrade to force the Serbian army out of Kosovo?

Secondly was the deaths of civilians in US bombing raids, in the multitude of wars they have recently taken part in, called co-lateral damage.

David Stevens, Lancing, UK

Yes its back to the good old USSR with the Soviets causing tragedy and misery on the world.

Russia is a menace to the world made worse in that they support nuclear prolifiation.

Richard, London,

So, the Russians are now bringing Ossetia (and Abkhasza) "back home into the fatherland"...- effectively annecting these provices. Just wait, soon they will be "shooting back" at Ukraine or perhaps even Poland... And 50 years later people will wonder, how all this could have been let to happen.

Adrian, London, UK

Georgie provoked all this by shelling a city and killing about 2,000 people.
Where the Russians not to do anything?

It is true that Russia used dispropotionate forse, But it seems to me that Georgian leadership is unfit to govern.

Manuel Micallef, Valletta, Malta

Who is responsible for this idiotic war ? Bombarded cities and many dead and wounded for what ? Pipelines ? The Oil Curse ?
The Geogian Leadership should be kicked out.

Sara Scherrer, Geneva,

You have to love how the truth is barried under the bias against Russia.

"Russian troops and tanks rolled across the border on Friday AFTER Georgian forces began an assault on South Ossetia"

The key words that people should be focused on! Georgia attacks civilians FIRST!

Alex, Melbourne, Australia

How come when Putin was President we heard very little from the Russian Prime Minister?

A cynic might think Russian democracy is nothing more than a sham and that Putin is desperate to recreate the good ol' days of Stalin et al.

Back To The U.S.S.R. I feel a chill coming on.

Rafael Gazapach, Oxford, United Kingdom

Your information - is false and subjective. Georgia, as well as other former Soviet republics is not necessary to Russia. For objective investigation the Russian government calls the international forces then it is doubtless Saakashvili to Ossetia should be condemned in the Hague for a genocide.
I am disappointed in the western estimation

Vladimir, Moscow, Russia

Mr.Saakashvili - provoker, perfidious aggressor, scoundrel, deceiver

Dmitry, Moscow, Russia