The Russian foreign ministry issued an official statement warning Georgia against opening fire at vessels violating its territorial waters, Interfax reported on August 4.
“Russian Foreign Ministry warns that any attempts to harm, or moreover, threaten lives of Russian citizens would be duly repelled”, the statement reads.
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said at a news briefing on August 4 that the Georgian authorities will open fire at any ships which violate the territorial waters of Georgia. Russian authorities received the statement as a threat to the Russian tourists that visit breakaway Abkhazia.