Georgian government troops have launched a major offensive to regain control over the breakaway province of South Ossetia with fighting raging on the outskirts of the separatist capital, Tskhinvali today , as the threat of a war dragging in Russia loomed. In Brussels, EU Commission spokesman John Clancy condemned the violence.

John Clancy, EU Commission spokesman said:
"The European Commission calls for an immediate end to hostilities and for a swift return to negotiations in the framework of existing formats."

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili accused Russia of bombing Georgian territory.

A Russian official denied the bombing.

But Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said the Georgian attack will draw retaliation and the Defence Ministry pledged to protect South Ossetians, most of whom have Russian citizenship.

Separatist officials said that 15 civilians had been killed in the fighting overnight. Another Georgian official claimed 7 people had been wounded in Russian bombing of Georgia.

A Georgian official has said their forces forces have shot down two Russian aircraft.

AP