Tensions between Russia and Georgia have been mounting steadily since five Russian servicemen were arrested Wednesday and charged with espionage. Also Wednesday, Georgian police surrounded the Russian military contingent's headquarters in Tbilisi, a siege that continued into Friday.
A total of 79 people are on board the two aircraft, the emergencies ministry said.
Earlier, the head of the Russian military contingent in the Caucasus, Andrei Popov, said: "Twenty-eight family members of the Group of Russian Forces servicemen, with 12 adults and 16 children, aged one and a half to 16, have left for Moscow."
A Tbilisi court is now deciding whether to keep the detained Russian servicemen in custody or release them. Russia has described their detention and the accusations leveled against them as a provocation. The Foreign Ministry said the Russian ambassador in Tbilisi has been recalled to Moscow for consultations.
Popov said he hopes the Russian servicemen will soon be released and the accusations against them dismissed.
