Tbilisi Anticipates Release of Soldiers in the Coming Hours

According to the Georgian officials shots fired from the areas controlled by the South Ossetian militia groups were heard overnight on July 8-9 in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone at the Georgian village of Nikozi. No casualties were reported. 

Meanwhile, Georgian State Minister for conflict resolution issues Goga Khaindrava, who spent all day long on July 8 in Tskhinvali, capital of breakaway South Ossetia, trying to facilitate release of the Georgian soldiers, says authorities of unrecognized republic vowed to free hostages in the morning on July 9.

Around 50 Georgian peacekeepers were detained by the South Ossetian militia groups after raiding the Georgian village of Vanati in the breakaway region early on July 8.