The helicopter was of the type MI-8. (Photo by U.S. Department of Defense.)
TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s Foreign Ministry calls on Russia to respect international law after a Russian helicopter overflew Georgian-controlled territory.
According to the ministry, the incident took place at 10:57am on August 19. A Russian military helicopter of the type MI-8 appeared over the village Zardiaantkari near Gori.
The ministry underlines that Russia’s actions are provocative and are endangering security and stability.
The Foreign Ministry’s statement says that August 17, Russia launched a military exercise in the south, which includes Georgia’s breakaway regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The exercise will last until September 18.
“Along with the military exercise, Russia continues to violate Georgian-controlled air space,” it reads.
After violating Georgian air space, the helicopter continued flying to Akhalgori, a region which was controlled by Tbilisi until the 2008 war, but then became incorporated in the breakaway region South Ossetia.
The ministry asks Russia to respect fundamental principles of international law and fulfill its obligations under the ceasefire agreement of August 12, 2008. The ministry also calls on the international community, the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia and heads of the Geneva international talks to properly assess Russia’s actions.
Earlier on Wednesday, the president’s foreign affairs adviser Tengiz Pkhaladze said at a press conference that President Margvelashvili expresses concern over the military exercise on occupied territories and appeals to the international community to react.
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