Georgia launched a large-scale offensive to seize control over its rebel province early on Friday using tanks, combat aircraft, heavy artillery and infantry. South Ossetia's capital, Tskhinvali, has been devastated in the onslaught, and Russia said at least 12 of its peacekeepers had lost their lives along with 2,000 South Ossetian civilians.

Putin flew to North Ossetia, which borders the South Ossetian conflict zone,

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from the Beijing Olympics. He is due to meet with Emergency Situation Minister Sergei Shoigu, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov and North Ossetia's President Taimuraz Mamsurov to discuss the relief operation and humanitarian aid for the 30,000 South Ossetian refugees who have fled into Russia from the war-torn region since hostilities began on Friday morning.

Russia has sent humanitarian aid to the region, including transport planes containing medical specialists, a mobile field hospital and 16 tons of medical supplies as well as essential food stuffs for South Ossetian refugees.

The ongoing conflict is the most severe since South Ossetia fought its way to independence from Georgia in 1992. The majority of the local population have Russian citizenship.

The Russian government has warned that a humanitarian disaster is developing as South Ossetians, many of them injured, flee across the border into Russia.

VLADIKAVKAZ, August 9 (RIA Novosti)