Russia in ‘new land grab’ in former Soviet state

The government of Georgia, a former Soviet state, is accusing Russia of more land grabbing in their territory in South Ossetia. If confirmed, the Russian expansion would be another incursion in the land of one of its neighboring countries.

TBILISI, Georgia — Hundreds of people are demonstrating outside government headquarters in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, urging authorities to halt talks with Russia in the wake of recent claims that Russia is seizing more Georgian territory.

The Saturday demonstration came after Georgia said this week that Russian forces in the breakaway Georgian territory of South Ossetia have pushed the de facto border nearly a kilometer (a half-mile) into its territory, leaving a section of an international oil pipeline under Russian control.

Georgia lost control of South Ossetia in a 2008 war with Russia. Thousands of Russian troops are deployed in the territory, which Moscow recognizes as an independent state.

Russian and Georgian diplomats have held talks on repairing relations, but the 1,500 demonstrators Saturday called for those talks to be halted.