Rebels in Abkhazia backed by Russia have begun an operation against Georgian forces in the strategic Kodori gorge area in the west of the breakaway province. They are pushing the Georgian army out of the upper parts of the gorge.

Abkhazia, is a much bigger province than South Ossetia, it also attempted to break away from Georgia during the collapse of the USSR in the early 1990s.

Russian troops who arrived in Abkhazia have launched raids into Georgia destroying a military base in the town of Senaki and taking control of another town, Zugdidi.

Elsewhere, Georgian troops have withdrawn to defend the capital, Tbilisi, against a Russian assault.

Tbilisi is become more isolated as Russian troops now control most key roads and bridges leading to the capital.

The Russian troops originally designated by Moscow as 'Peacekeepers' seem now to be invaders. Allied with separatists they now look like continuing their advances until they take complete control of Georgia.