The Russian foreign ministry issued a warning to Georgia to take care not to harm Russians by firing on ships entering the waters of its breakaway region Abkhazia on Wednesday.

The day before, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, repeated that Georgia would open fire on and sink all ships approaching the coast of Abkhazia. He cautioned Russian tourists against travelling by ship to Sukhumi, the Abkhazian capital.

The Russian statement accused Saakashvili's threat of being an unprecedented step, and vowed Russia would safeguard the lives of its citizens using all means.

Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister sergei ivanov says Georgian leader's statement will only make worse the regional situation.

Abkhazia won de facto independence from Georgia after a 1992-1993 war.

(CRI August 5, 2004)