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Georgia in Russian attack claim Georgia in Russian attack claim
(about 2 hours later)
Russia has committed an "act of aggression" against Georgia by firing a guided missile at its territory, officials in Tbilisi say.Russia has committed an "act of aggression" against Georgia by firing a guided missile at its territory, officials in Tbilisi say.
They say the missile landed outside to the village of Tsitelubani on Monday, some 60km (37 miles) north-west of the capital Tbilisi, but did not explode. They say the missile landed outside the village of Tsitelubani on Monday, some 60km (37 miles) north-west of the capital Tbilisi, but did not explode.
Russian officials have moved quickly to deny all of the accusations.Russian officials have moved quickly to deny all of the accusations.
Relations between the two neighbouring countries have often been fraught since the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991.Relations between the two neighbouring countries have often been fraught since the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991.
'Act of aggression' 'Powerful missile'
Georgian officials say that Russian fighter jets dropped the missile at 1930 (1530 GMT) on Monday. Georgian officials say that two Russian fighter jets launched the missile at 1930 (1530 GMT) on Monday.
Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Ustiashvili told the BBC the planes flew some 70km (43 miles) over Georgia's territory, firing the missile, which weighed about a ton. Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Ustiashvili told the BBC the planes had flown some 70km (43 miles) over Georgia's territory, firing the rocket, which weighed about a ton.
Mr Ustiashvili said the rocket had landed in "the backyard of one of the local residents". Mr Ustiashvili said the missile had landed in "the backyard of one of the local residents".
Radars showed that the aircraft flew out of "the Russian military base in the North Caucasus", he added. He said radars showed that the aircraft flew out of "the Russian military base in the North Caucasus", adding that it was "one of the most modern and powerful missiles that the Russian air force has".
"It has become common practice for the Russian air force and for the government troops to sneak into the Georgian territory, but what's different in this incident from the previous ones is that they have threatened Georgian airspace much deeper, and that they have used a very powerful bomb," the spokesman said.
Earlier, Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili told the Reuters news agency: "I assess this fact as an act of aggression carried out by planes flown from the territory of another state."Earlier, Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili told the Reuters news agency: "I assess this fact as an act of aggression carried out by planes flown from the territory of another state."
Georgia's foreign ministry said it would summon the Russian ambassador in Tbilisi to hand over a note of protest over the incident.
Moscow denied the accusations.Moscow denied the accusations.
"Russia's air force neither on Monday nor Tuesday flew flights over Georgia," said Col Alexander Drobyshevsky, an aide to the commander of Russia's air force."Russia's air force neither on Monday nor Tuesday flew flights over Georgia," said Col Alexander Drobyshevsky, an aide to the commander of Russia's air force.
"Russia has not violated the borders of sovereign Georgia," Col Drobyshevsky added."Russia has not violated the borders of sovereign Georgia," Col Drobyshevsky added.
Georgian officials said the bomb had landed close to Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia, which receives political and financial support from Moscow. Tsitelubani is nor far away from Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia, which receives political support from Moscow, the BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow says.
Strained relationsStrained relations
The two conflicting accounts of the incident reflect ongoing tensions between Georgia and Russia, our correspondent says.
Relations between Moscow and Tbilisi deteriorated sharply last year when Georgia expelled four Russian army officers it accused of spying.Relations between Moscow and Tbilisi deteriorated sharply last year when Georgia expelled four Russian army officers it accused of spying.
The deportation triggered a furious diplomatic row, with Moscow imposing economic sanctions against its neighbour and deporting a number of Georgians.The deportation triggered a furious diplomatic row, with Moscow imposing economic sanctions against its neighbour and deporting a number of Georgians.
Georgian officials have frequently claimed that Russian military aircraft have violated its airspace - accusations always denied by Russia.Georgian officials have frequently claimed that Russian military aircraft have violated its airspace - accusations always denied by Russia.
Moscow is angry about Georgia's plans to join Nato, while Tbilisi accuses Russia of trying to destabilise Georgia.Moscow is angry about Georgia's plans to join Nato, while Tbilisi accuses Russia of trying to destabilise Georgia.
The worst problems have usually been related to regional conflicts - the frozen conflicts in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.The worst problems have usually been related to regional conflicts - the frozen conflicts in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Many Georgians accuse Russia of imperialism, while Russia criticises Georgia for nationalism and pursuing an anti-Russian foreign policy.Many Georgians accuse Russia of imperialism, while Russia criticises Georgia for nationalism and pursuing an anti-Russian foreign policy.