Russian tanks enter South Ossetia

Russian tanks have entered the capital of Georgia's separatist region of South Ossetia, says Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili.

Amid fierce fighting, Georgia has been trying to regain control of the breakaway province, which has had de facto independence since the 1990s. Georgia is reported to have said any involvement of Russian forces in the conflict will result in a state of war. Russia's president promised to defend Russian citizens in South Ossetia. Moscow's defence ministry said more than 10 of its peacekeeping troops in South Ossetia had been killed and 30 wounded in the Georgian offensive. At least 15 civilians are also reported dead. Russia said earlier it was sending reinforcements to support peacekeepers in the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali. Reports from Georgia claim Russian jets have attacked an airport near the Georgian capital of Tbilisi. Nato, the US and the EU have all called for an immediate end to hostilities. Georgia's president said 150 Russian tanks and other vehicles had entered South Ossetia. He told in interview,"Russia is fighting a war with us in our own territory." The Russian defence ministry told Interfax news agency that reinforcements for Russian peacekeepers had been sent to South Ossetia "to help end bloodshed". But Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said: "I must protect the life and dignity of Russian citizens wherever they are," Interfax quoted him as saying. "We will not allow their deaths to go unpunished. Those responsible will receive a deserved punishment." Georgian Foreign Minister Ekaterine Tkeshelashvili told the BBC the present situation was calm as Georgian troops were observing a unilateral ceasefire which started at 1100GMT. She said they wanted to ensure that any civilians who wanted to leave the conflict zone could do so safely.