Tbilisi denies firing on occupied Tskhinvali’s unmanned aerial vehicle

The Georgian State Security Service has denied accusations put forward by de facto Tskhinvali that fire was opened on their unmanned aerial vehicle from Tbilisi-controlled area.

It said Tskhinvali’s quadrocopter crashed into a similar unmanned aerial vehicle of an individual, as a result of which both fell to the ground, the Georgian Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. 

The Georgian central government has constructive attitude and pays huge importance to ensuring the current stable environment [along the occupation line]”, the Security Service said. 

Meanwhile, a Georgian activist David Katsarava wrote on his Facebook account that the members of anti-occupation movement have “neutralised" Tskhinvali's drone near the occupied village of Tsnelisi (Uista), above Tbilisi-controlled airspace. 

• De facto Tskhinvai officials say Tbilisi fired on unmanned aerial vehicle

Earlier today, the de facto “security committee” of Russia-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region said that in the morning of September 1 the quadrocopter of the region's “security structures” carrying out “humanitarian operation to ensure safety" of local population, provided video surveillance along what they call “a state border”. 

Calling this incident “a direct provocation” from Tbilisi aimed to “escalate yet another armed conflict” with Tskhinvali region, de facto "security committee" said the European Union Monitoring mission (EUMM) has been informed.