A war between Russia and the US-backed nation of Georgia over the breakaway regions of South Ossetia appears to be widening after four days of intense fighting. Russia estimates more than 2,000 people have been killed in South Ossetia, and the Red Cross said at least 40,000 have been forced to flee their homes. So far, the fighting centers on the autonomous region of South Ossetia, a section of Georgia that declared its autonomy in 1989. In March, South Ossetia asked the world to recognize its independence from Georgia following the West’s support for Kosovo’s secession from Serbia. On Friday, Georgian forces attacked South Ossetia’s capital Tskhinvali to retake the breakaway region. Ten Russian peacekeepers were killed when they were shelled by Georgian forces. In response, Russia launched an air, land and sea assault on Georgia. Georgia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Irakli Alasania, accused Russia of using indiscriminate force.

Irakli Alasania: “For the last twelve hours, inhuman and indiscriminate aerial bombardments of the Georgian territory continued. The scale of devastating destruction and loss of innocent lives has yet to be assessed. Russian ground troops’ armed invasion transformed already in a full-scale occupation of parts of Georgian territory the process of extermination of Georgian population.”

The Russian ambassador to the UN, Vitali Churkin, blamed the outbreak of violence on Georgia.

Vitali Churkin: “What is taking place now is not unexpected. The Russian Federation, as you recall, on many occasions drew attention to the dangerous situation which was evolving around South Ossetia. The Russian Federation, on many occasions, drew attention to the fact that Georgia was increasing at an increasing rate its offensive weapons. Georgia is the world record holder in the increase of its military budget, which over recent years has grown by thirty times, and now we understand what the purpose of all this was.”