Georgian / Russian War -- Full Coverage For August 18, 2008

Russian military vehicles drive in the direction of Tskhinvali after crossing from Russia into the Georgian breakaway region of South Ossetia near the village of Vekhny Ruk August 17, 2008. (Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters)

Russia Says Georgian Troop Withdrawal Under Way
-- Yahoo News/AP

GORI, Georgia - Russia said its troops began withdrawing from the conflict zone in Georgia on Monday, including the strategic central city of Gori, "according to the peace plan" that sought to end fighting has reignited Cold War tensions.

The statement by Col.-Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn came amid uncertainty about whether Russia was fulfilling its promise to begin the pullout Monday. He said troops were pulling back to South Ossetia — the breakaway region at the heart of the fighting — and to an unspecified security zone.

Earlier in the day, Russian forces around Gori appeared to be solidifying their positions.

But Nogovitsyn told a briefing that "today, according to the peace plan, the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers and reinforcements has begun." He added that forces were leaving Gori, a stratgically key city that sits on Georgia's only significant east-west road.

Read more ....

More News On The Withdraw Of Russian Soldiers From Georgia

Russia says troops pulling back from Georgia -- MSNBC
No Confirmed Sign of Russian Withdrawal From Georgia -- FOX News
Russia begins Georgia troop 'pull back' -- CNN
Russia Says Pullout From Georgia Underway -- CBS News
Russia claims troops are withdrawing from Georgia -- The Telegraph
Troops begin withdrawal from Georgia, says Russian military -- The Guardian
Russia: Georgian Pullout Under Way -- Time Magazine
Cross us and we will crush you, warns Medvedev -- Times Online
Medvedev talks tough as Russia 'withdraws' -- The Independent
Georgia sees little sign of Russian withdrawal -- Newsweek
'Putin has given us an order that everyone must leave or be shot' -- Times Online
Nato torn between threats and caution over Russia and Georgia -- Times Online
Rice, Allies to Discuss Russian Response -- Time Magazine
South Ossetia holds civilian Georgians hostage -- The Guardian
Report from the Georgian Front -- Canada Free Press
Schröder lambasted for blaming Russian conflict on Georgia -- The Local
Georgia conflict: Condoleezza Rice toughens stance towards Russia -- The Telegraph

My Comment: The next excitement will be in the political arena. Nato and European diplomats and politicians are meeting for the entire week. Expect fireworks and threats from Russia.