Georgian forces last night entered South Ossetia in an attempt to regain control of the Secessionist territory.
Large numbers of Georgian reservists have been called up to assist in the conflict.
Current reports from the Georgian side claim that the South Ossetian capital is surrounded with the Georgian television channel Rustavi2 reporting that 70% of the South Ossetian capital Tskinvali is under Georgian control.
The Russian news agency Interfax quotes a CIS Peacekeeping Force Commander as claiming Tskinvali is "practically destroyed by Georgian shelling"
A ceacefire has been announced by Georgian forces to allow civilians to leave via a humanitarian corridoor, however Russians claim that the corridoor is yet to come into effect.
Interfax reports that Georgia has given South Ossetia forces three hours to surrender.
South Ossetia's ally Russia has strongly condemned Tbilisi's actions and openly discussed retaliation.
Russian President Dimitry Medvedev responded angrily to the Georgian assault "I must protect the life and dignity of Russian citizens wherever they are. We will not allow their deaths to go unpunished"
Georgian media reported earlier today that Russian aircraft have already bombed the region around the Georgian city of Gori.
There are also reports coming in from Interfax that the Georgian airbase at Vaziani as well as Georgian positions within South Ossetia have been bomed by Russian warplanes.
Interfax quotes South Ossetian authorities as saying that Russian armored vehicles are approaching Tskhinvali.
Georgian President Michale Saakashvili is currently reported to be in talks with US Foreign Secretary Condoleeza Rice and NATO secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.
Further reports as the situation develops
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