Russian peacekeepers report illegal flights over S. Ossetia

Russian peacekeepers report illegal flights over S. Ossetia (NSI News Source Info) TSKHINVALI, August 7, 2008 - Russian peacekeepers in the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zone said on Thursday they had identified at least eight illegal flights over Georgia's breakaway region overnight. "Peacekeepers have detected illegal passes of at least eight aircraft [over S. Ossetia], including five Su-25 Frogfoot attack planes and three reconnaissance drones," Vladimir Ivanov, an aide to the commander of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces in the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zone. He said the aircraft flew from Georgia heading north toward the Dzhava district in South Ossetia. The conflict between Georgia and its breakaway region of South Ossetia intensified last Friday night when Georgian forces shelled the South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali, leaving six South Ossetians dead and another 15 wounded. Sporadic shelling and skirmishes have continued through the week with more casualties reported on both sides. South Ossetia said on Wednesday that Georgia is planning a full-scale invasion of the region before the start of September.