Georgian officials reported that four Georgian soldiers were killed during heavy fighting which erupted in the South Ossetian conflict zone late on August 18.
Later, Tbilisi-based Imedi radio station reported the deaths of two more Georgian soldiers. However, this report is not yet confirmed by officials.
Georgian officials say the South Ossetian side opened fire on the Georgian villages of Eredvi and Vanati just a few hours after the Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava held talks with the South Ossetian separatist leader Eduard Kokoev in Tskhinvali on August 18.
However, the South Ossetian side denies opening fire and accuses Tbilisi of provoking fresh hostilities in the conflict zone.