Georgia's president has said his country had been effectively cut in half after Russia’s seizure of several towns and a military base in western Georgia. Fighting has been reported lately around Tskhinvali, the capital of the separatist province of South Ossetia. Russian warplanes launched new air raids across Georgia.

 

Historically, Georgia was ruled by Moscow for most of the two centuries preceding the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union. And, late on Thursday Georgia began an offensive to regain control over South Ossetia with heavy shelling and air strikes. These strikes accordingly have ravaged South Ossetia's provincial capital of Tskhinvali.

 

There has been intense criticism of Russia in carrying out attack. President Bush and G7 developed countries; along with Western leaders have sharply criticized Russia's military response as disproportionate. Also, they have blamed Russia for wanting the Georgian government overthrown. The world community has asked Russia to go for ceasefire.

 

There have been efforts to use peaceful methods of dispute settlement from EU. Where its commission earlier asked to end the war immediately and go for talks to all warring parties. Similarly, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has urged warring parties to go for peaceful negations to solve contentious issues. Russian sources have confirmed 2000 deaths in South Ossetia after conflict started.