Russia cuts sea links with Georgia

The deputy head of the Russian Black Sea port says they have temporarily suspended sea links with the port of Batumi.

Sea links between Georgia's Black Sea port of Batumi and Russia's Sochi port have been cut, the deputy head of the Russian Black Sea port said on Monday.

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"We have temporarily suspended sea links with the port of Batumi. According to the information at our disposal, the port of Batumi is closed," Simon Mamaladze said.

Moscow's action came in the wake of hostilities between Russian and Georgian armies after Tbilisi ordered its troops into Russian-backed separatist province of South Ossetia.

An estimated 2,000 civilians have since died in south Ossetian capital Tskhinvali and 34,000 reported to have fled into Russia.

Russia also suspended on Monday postal communication with Georgia.

"Currently letters and parcels to Georgia are not being accepted due to a suspension in air links," Yelena Laskina, a spokesperson for the Russian communications ministry said, adding the suspension was also affecting money transfers between the two countries.

Russia's transport ministry said earlier that air links with Georgia, had been suspended from Aug 9.