Georgians: Separatists seize 13 villages

(CNN) - Russian-backed militia in western Georgia have seized control of 13 villages and a power plant bordering the region, the Georgian government said Saturday.

Georgia's Interior Ministry told CNN that the villages and the plant - all previously controlled by Georgia - fall within the borders of the separatist territory of Abkhazia. Officials at the Foreign Ministry initially suspected that the move was a Russian attempt to expand Abkhazia's border with Georgia - but they backed off the statement later, saying the border remained intact.

The claim could not be immediately confirmed by CNN. Abkhazian fighters, supported by Russia, forced Georgians out of their last stronghold in the province earlier this week. Fighting has raged over the past week between Russia and Georgia over two separatist regions - Abkhazia and South Ossetia.