Russian MiG-29 shoots down Georgian UAV over Abkhazia

[Preacher]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7358761.stm

Abkhazia is a breakaway unrecognized republic that has both Russian and Georgian peacekeepers. The unarmed Israeli made Hermes drone was doing reconnaissance over Abkhazia when it was shot down as the video in the link shows. Russian claims this story is a fabricration and the rebels shot the drone down, and the rebels claim the drone was shot down with L-39 aircraft. Look at the video and decide for yourself.

Russia is notorious for violating former republic's airspace, and in general has been more active recently with reconnaissance mission.
http://www.kommersant.com/p609314/r_...a_Jet_to_NATO/
http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...anovosti05.htm
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20071226/94275382.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6984320.stm

[ivan_the_terrible]

Nothing new. Russia pushing the boundaries of legitimate military operations, Georgia whining about Russia being out to get them.

Its sad that things have deteriorated this much. Throughout history, Russia and Georgia have been the best of friends.

[Caelius]

Awesome Video of the incident in question, it's not every day you see a MiG-29 fire an AAM at CBDR (within visual range, and head on to boot)

[antaeus]

i am quite torn over this one, i dont know who's more wrong..

hahaha

[Axeman]

[snuggans]

someone messed up

what if it was manned

[humvee2800]

To tell you the truth that was a nice video, not sure why the jet attacked from such close range though.

[s.rwitt]

i am quite torn over this one, i dont know who's more wrong..

hahaha

Are you kidding? Watch the video, then see what the Russians said.

They obviously finally got caught lying. Unless these "rebels" have Mig 29s.

[Simplicio]

Are you kidding? Watch the video, then see what the Russians said.

They obviously finally got caught lying. Unless these "rebels" have Mig 29s.

Or the video does not address the incident in question...?

[nemgod]

or does Georgia have Mig 29s considering they are a former soviet state and Mig 29s are old enough to be around when USSR was still around?

[Caelius]

or does Georgia have Mig 29s considering they are a former soviet state and Mig 29s are old enough to be around when USSR was still around?

No, they don't.

More importantly though, why would Georgia shoot down one of their own aircraft?

[s.rwitt]

Considering the credibility of the Russian military, I doubt it.

[Simplicio]

Considering the credibility of the Russian military, I doubt it.

So what has Georgia done to earn your trust?

[nemgod]

same reason anyone else would in Georgia's position. Make Russia look even worse than what it is and get more support from NATO and USA. Was not saying they did it but it could always have been a possibility if they had MIG 29s (Which it shown they don't so it does not matter)

[s.rwitt]

So what has Georgia done to earn your trust?

It's more the astounding amount of things Russia has done to lose it lately.

[Simplicio]

It's more the astounding amount of things Russia has done to lose it lately.

So you would conclude in agreement with Georgia's account of the event then?

[antaeus]

like i said. who really knows who's more wrong in this case, i would think its a case of both...

however, if it was a spy drone, in the airspace of abkazia, which russia recognises, then i would imagine its within their right to shoot down what ever the hell they like, as long as its with the support of abkazia

[Norge]

however, if it was a spy drone, in the airspace of abkazia, which russia recognises,

Abkhazia is not recognized by any nation, including Russia.

it is not clear to anyone that a Mig-29 shot it down, besides a laughable video footage shown by Geogrian dude in a military uniform on a ing laptop.

Why this emphasis on the laptop? Would the evidence be more in Georgian favour if it was shown on a television screen or maybe a regular CRT screen?

[s.rwitt]

So you would conclude in agreement with Georgia's account of the event then?

More or less. It's more like I'm not sure if everything Georgia said is true, but I AM sure that almost nothing the Russians said is true.

[Simplicio]

More or less. It's more like I'm not sure if everything Georgia said is true, but I AM sure that almost nothing the Russians said is true.

Ok, then. I just wanted to express that Russia's lack credibility does not necessarily imply the truth of Georgia's assertions. Which is why I'd rather not believe either side.