TBILISI: Georgian security forces have been forced to retreat amid Russian bombardment in a fierce battle for control of the South Ossetian rebel capital of Tskhinvali, officials said.   

"Russian armed forces are bombarding Tskhinvali," Georgian interior ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili said after earlier claiming complete control of the city. "We have lost control over some parts of the city."   

Russian news agencies quoted witnesses and officials as saying hundreds of civilians had been killed. Buildings were ablaze and dead Georgian soldiers seen alongside destroyed tanks in the streets.   

A spokesman for Russian army chief Vladimir Boldyrev was quoted as saying that Russian tank and artillery units had destroyed Georgian positions around the city after entering separatist South Ossetia earlier on Friday.