TSKHINVALI. July 2 (Interfax-AVN) - The self-proclaimed republic of South Ossetia has put its troops on high alert, the republic's president, Eduard Kokoity, told Interfax on Friday.
"The troops are ready to fend off any aggression on the part of Georgia," he said.
"The Georgian authorities have made a final decision to use force to settle the conflict with our republic. We know the date when this military operation is to begin - July 7-9," Kokoity said, adding that Georgian General Gogi Tatukhashvili has been appointed to command the operation.