Heavy fighting in South Ossetia
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Georgian forces and South Ossetian separatists have been exchanging heavy fire just hours after agreeing to a ceasefire and Russian-mediated talks.

Russian media reports said Georgia had launched a tank-led attack on the separatist stronghold of Tskhinvali, with at least 15 killed in shelling.

Georgia says its aim is to finish “a criminal regime” and restore order.

Moscow has called on the international community to jointly work “to avert massive bloodshed and new victims”.

At Russia’s request, members of the UN Security Council are holding a rare emergency session to discuss a response to the escalating violence.