I need new sources!

As you may have noticed, most of my translations are from Russian sources; very few from Georgian. I have been searching for well-written Georgian articles, but the only ones I've found have already been translated in one way or another. If any of you know of a reliable Georgian news source which is not regularly translated (that goes for any Russian source, too), please leave a link in the comments.

Ryan

Georgia sends in tanks to capture Tskhinvali, Ossetia hangs on, Abkhazia hurries to help

Грузия бросила танки на захват Цхинвала, Осетия держится, Абхазия спешит на помощь

Georgia has deployed tanks to capture the South Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali. According to South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity, the tanks launched their assault at around half past two. Kokoity is certain that Georgian forces cannot overtake the city as they will meet fierce resistance. Meanwhile, the Parliament of South Ossetia has asked Russia to intervene in the situation and help the citizens of South Ossetia fend of the Georgian army.

At the same time, reports an IA Regnum correspondent, President Kokoity has held telephone conversations with his Abkhazian counterpart Sergei Bagapsh. Kokoity last heard from Bagapsh that he had ordered the eastern divisions of the Abkhazian army to proceed to the Georgian border. In addition, the Abkhazians have deployed infantry divisions, tanks, and rocket artillery systems. The decision was made after a special session of the Council of Abkhazia.

Security Council Secretary Stanislav Lakoba told our correspondent that there is no word yet concerning the centrally controlled volunteer divisions. "We are simply meeting our obligations as described in our pact with the Republic of South Ossetia concerning military cooperation," he stated, adding that the Abkhazian Armed Forces have been placed on high alert and that the border with Georgia was under tighter security. "From a neighbor like this, we can expect anything and everything. We are obliged to look out for our own safety."

IA Regnum

Georgian tanks enter Tskhinvali

Грузинские танки идут в Цхинвал

Georgia has begun to attack the southern suburbs of Tskhinvali with tanks, says President of South ossetia Eduard Kokoity to reporters over the phone. "The Georgian infantry came in a storm, in 3 minutes. They've silenced our radio communications. Our men here and there have tried to request support, but our radios have been silenced," reports IA Regnum's source in Tskhinvali. Fighting is fierce.

The Russian peacekeeping forces have been put on high alert, reports Marat Kulakhmetov, commanding officer of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict.

It's worth noting that on August 8th, the date marking the beginning of the Olympics in Beijing, Mikhail Saakashvili has launched a military operation for the restoration of "constitutional order" in Tskhinvali.

IA Regnum

Vladikavkaz ready to receive wounded from Tskhinvali

Владикавказ готов принять раненых из Цхинвала

Hospitals in North Ossetia are making room, reports Nikolay Khlyntsov, chairman of the government, to IA Regnum on August 8th. Authorities are rushing to make medicines and dressings available to the wounded from South Ossetia. First aid teams are ready to leave at a moment's notice.

It's worth noting that August 8th marks the beginning of the Bejing Olympics. On this day, Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili has decided to restore "constiutional order" with the aid of guns, mortars, and BM-21 "Grad" rocket artillery systems.

IA Regnum

Center of Tskhinvali ravaged by fire and almost completely destroyed

Центр Цхинвали объят пожаром и почти полностью разрушен

Practially all government buildings in the the center of Tskhinvali have been destroyed. The city is ablaze, reports an IA Regnum correspondent. Georgian forces continue artillery fire on the South Ossetian capital. As Vladimir Ivanov, assistant commanding officer of the Joint Peacekeeping Force, testifies, the Russian positions in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone have not yet come under fire. "There has not been direct fire from the Georgian side on the peacekeeping observation posts. Peacekeepers continue to carry out the task of monitoring the situation in the conflict zone," he noted.

IA Regnum

Georgians surround Tskhinvali

Грузины окружают Цхинвали

The capital of South Ossetia is being bombarded from all directions, according to the republic's information committee's site. "The fire, coming from of all types of large-caliber artillery, is intensifying. The bombardment is coming from all directions," reports the site.

Meanwhile, the Georgian artillery is concentrating its fire on government and residential buildings in the center of Tskhinvali, reports an IA Regnum correspondent at the scene of events. According to him, dozens of shells are falling every minute. Information on the number of victims and the scale of destruction are not yet available, as people cannot leave their shelters. Georgia has confirmed its intention to resolve the Georgian-Ossetian conflict by the use of force. In particular, commanding officer of the Georgian peacekeeping forces Mamuka Kurashvili stated that the Georgians had "begun an operation to restore constitutional order in the Tskhinvali region." Currently, the Georgian armed forces are continuing their large-scale bombardment with howtizers, mortars, BM-21 "Grad" rocket artillery systems, and large-caliber artillery.

IA Regnum

Tskhinvali: Georgia officially declares war on South Ossetia

Цхинвали: Грузия официально объявила Южной Осетии войну

Georgia has officially declared war on South Ossetia. This news was reported to us by Anatoly Barankevich, Secretary of the South Ossetian National Security Council. Tskhinvali is being bombarded by "Grad" rockets. South Ossetia has just lost power.

IA Regnum