A Georgian spy drone has been shot down over Georgia's rebel region of Abkhazia, a spokesman for Abkhazia's defense ministry has said.

The Georgian spy drone was shot down over Abkhazia by Abkhazian air defense forces on Sunday, the Abkhaz official said.

Meanwhile, a senior Georgian Interior Ministry official said there had been no flights by Georgian drones in the area on Sunday.

Georgia accused Russia last month of shooting down a Georgian spy drone over Abkhazia, sparking a bitter row. Russia denied its air force had downed the drone and said Abkhaz forces had shot it down.

Russia's ties with Georgia have been strained for more than a decade, in part by Moscow's support for Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

MP/RA