Russia issues military warning over breakaway regions

A Russian Foreign Ministry official warned today that Russia would have to use “military methods” to defend its countrymen if fighting erupts in two breakaway regions of Georgia, news agencies reported.

The comments by Valery Kenyaikin, a ministry official in charge of relations with former Soviet states, were Russia’s sharpest warnings yet to Georgia about the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Interfax and RIA-Novosti quoted Mr Kenyaikin as warning that Georgia should not rely on Nato or other countries if it decides to leave talks to resolve the status of the two regions.

“If a military conflict unfolds, then it will turn out that we will have to resort to military methods,” he said.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia have had de-facto independence since breaking away from Georgian government control in wars in the early 1990s.

Russia has long provided support to the two regions, including granting residents passports.

Already strained relations between Russia and Georgia took a turn for the worse last weekend, when a Georgian unmanned spy plane was shot down while flying over Abkhazia.

Georgian air force officials said a video shows a Russian fighter jet was responsible, something Moscow denies.

Georgia brought its case to the UN Security Council on Wednesday to press for international support, but Russia rejected the call.

Mr Kenyaikin also accused Georgia of bolstering its forces in preparation for military action, the agency reported.

“This can only mean preparations for military action ... possibly in the nearest future. This can’t be ruled out,” he said.