Satellite images show South Ossetia destruction

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Satellite images taken just after a battle between Georgia and Russia over the region of South Ossetia show fresh damage to villages continued for days after the initial clash, researchers and human rights activists reported on Thursday.

The images analyzed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science's Science and Human Rights Program do not show who was responsible for the damage -- Georgia, Russia or other groups. But they may be evidence of war crimes, said Amnesty International, which commissioned the study.

"These images do not lie -- the additional destruction shown from August 10 to August 19 must be used to establish who had responsibility for protecting civilians from attacks by militia," said Amnesty's Ariela Blatter.

"The destruction of civilian infrastructure highlights the need for the international community to undertake an independent investigation of abuses during the conflict, with the complete support of all parties involved."

The crisis erupted in August when Georgia tried to forcibly retake the pro-Russian region of South Ossetia, which threw off Georgian rule in the 1990s.

Russia counter-attacked into Georgia on August 7 and 8, overwhelming Georgian forces and drawing condemnation from the West. Russian forces pulled back into South Ossetia on Wednesday as part of a cease-fire brokered by the European Union.

Georgia says Russia fully controlled Tskhinvali by August 10, but Russia has said Georgian troops inflicted most of the damage to civilian areas of South Ossetia.

DIFFICULT IMAGES