Russia warns of force if more Georgia 'provocations'

Russia on Saturday warned Georgia its military reserves the right to use force if the ex-Soviet state continues "provocations" in the Caucasus, one week ahead of the first anniversary of their 2008 war. Tbilisi responded by accusing Moscow of having made an "undisguised threat" and of having "dangerous designs" on Georgia. The Russian defence ministry accused Georgia of firing several times with mortars and grenades over the last four days on the capital of its rebel South Ossetia region, which is recognised as independent by Russia. "Such actions seriously worry the Russian defence ministry," the ministry said in a statement on its website. "If such provocations posing a threat to the population of South Ossetia and the Russian military continue, the defence ministry reserves the right to use all the forces and means at its disposal." The angry statement came just ahead of the August 7 anniversary of the start of the war, when a Georgian military attempt to retake South Ossetia was rebuffed by Russia. Moscow then sent troops and tanks deep into Georgian territory.