Georgia breaks UN agreements: Russia
Published: 22 April, 2008, 16:38
The Russian Foreign Ministry has called the flight of a Georgian unmanned spy plane over Abkhazian territory a breach of UN ceasefire agreements. Earlier Georgia said its drone was shot down on Sunday by a Russian fighter jet, something the Russian Air Fo
The UN Security Council will meet on Wednesday to discuss the incident.
According to Georgia, one of its unmanned planes was on a regular reconnaissance flight when it was attacked by a Russian fighter jet.
Georgia had previously denied all involvement, claiming they hadn’t sent a plane to the area. Abkhazia says Georgia’s statement acknowledging the flight is tantamount to an admission of spying.
The Russian Foreign Ministry says the plane was brought down by Abkhazian air defence forces.
The ITAR-TASS news agency quotes a Russian air force representative, who claims a MIG-29 fighter would never be used to destroy an unmanned plane.
The official says the drone “can almost be shot with a slingshot” and Abkhazia has its own resources for such a task.
In a telephone conversation with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili on Monday Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has accused Georgia of heightening tensions in Abkhazia by starting military flights over the conflict zone.
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