Abkhazia: Two Georgian drones shot down

TBILISI, Georgia, May 4 (UPI) -- Two unmanned reconnaissance drones controlled by Georgia were shot down Sunday near Abkhazian air space, Abkhaz Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba said.

However, a source in the Georgian Interior Ministry told ITAR-TASS no drones had been shot down.

"Abkhaz reports claiming that a Georgian unmanned reconnaissance aircraft was allegedly shot down between the Gali and Ochamchira districts on Sunday were totally wrong," the source said.

Shamba maintained the presence of the drones, which were downed by Abkhaz air defense units, indicated Georgia was purposefully violating its agreement with Abkhazia that provides for a ceasefire and separation of forces, ITAR-TASS reported.

"The Georgian side breaches the skies of our republic, which is another violation of the fundamental agreement. Both planes were shot down in the safety zone," Shamba said.

Abkhaz presidential spokesman Kristian Bzhania said the presence of the reconnaissance aircraft immediately prompted a military alert along the separation line between the two republics.