Unknown If Plane Shot Down, Section Of Forest On Fire

As if things weren't tense enough between Russia and Georgia. What is believed to be a Russian aircraft was fired upon by Georgian forces after it breached Georgian airspace Friday.

There has been no confirmation of the plane having been shot down, but BBC News reports a nearby forested section of Abkhazia's Kodori Gorge was on fire. Georgian officials said the area was remote and difficult to reach.

A Georgia Air Force spokesperson said this was "the latest provocation aimed against us."

Russia, in turn, dismissed the claim as it has other recent events.

As ANN has reported, a panel of international experts invited by the Georgian Foreign Ministry to review an August 6 incident, during which an aircraft entered Georgian airspace and dropped or jettisoned a missile, which did not explode, determined the aircraft came from Russian airspace, according to the Associated Press.

Radio Free Europe reports the panel says the missile was a Russian-designed KH-58, which is designed to take out radar systems. The panel notes Georgia's air force "does not possess aircraft equipped with or able to launch" such a missile.

A single aircraft entered the airspace three separate times.

Russia strongly denies the accusations and has accused the Georgian capital of Tbilisi of theatrics and staging a provocation.

FMI: www.mfa.gov.ge