AP source: Georgia claims EU report blames Russia for ethnic cleansing during war last year

AP source: Georgia says Russia war crimes cited

WASHINGTON — Georgia claims a report commissioned by the European Union concludes that Russian troops were responsible for ethnic cleansing during last year’s war with Georgia.

A Georgian official briefed by an EU investigator on the report’s findings said Tuesday that the report also concludes that some Russian combat troops crossed into Georgian territory before the start of hostilities on Aug. 7.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the briefing ahead of the report’s expected release Wednesday. Both sides want to use the report’s findings to bolster their claims about the war.

Georgia has claimed — and Russia has denied — that Georgia launched an offensive to repel Russian forces in its territory.