South Ossetia 'shoots down Georgian drone'

Forces in South Ossetia shot down an unmanned Georgian spy plane, the interior minister of the separatist-held region said today.

Mikhail Mindzayev said the drone had crossed into South Ossetia from the south, meaning it was of Georgian origin.

Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili denied a drone had been sent into the region and claimed Mr Mindzayev was “seeing things”.

South Ossetia, with Russia’s support, has fought to become independent of Georgia. Russia recognised the region as an independent nation on Monday.