Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Georgian troops pulled out of the capital of the breakaway province of South Ossetia today under massive Russian shelling, Georgian officials said.
Georgia's Reintegration Minister Temur Yakobashvili said the Georgian troops left Tskhinvali to change their location, but remain in South Ossetia.
The news came ahead of a report that Russian warships had arrived today at the Georgian Black Sea coast on Sunday. The RIA news agency quoted a Russian navy source as saying: "The missile cruiser Moscow, the warship Smetlivy and backup vessels arrived at their destination this morning."
Meanwhile Mr Yakobashvili said the pullout would help provide a humanitarian corridor to evacuate those wounded from Tskhinvali.
The city has been ravaged by fierce battles since Friday, when Georgian troops launched an offensive to regain control over South Ossetia. Russia responded by sending in tanks and troops and bombing Georgian territory.
Georgia's Security Council chief Alexander Lomaia said the Georgian troops had to move out of Tskhinvali because of heavy Russian fire.
"Russia further escalated its aggression overnight, using weapons on unprecedented scale," Lomaia said. "In these conditions our forces conducted redeployment."
A Russian general said yesterday that his troops had driven Georgian forces out Tskhinvali and were moving to push them away from heights overlooking the city.
But another Russian officer, Gen. Marat Kulakhmetov, said intensive fighting for the city continued overnight and in the morning.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments