Russia took the first steps towards a troop pullback from Georgia, but at the same time paraded blindfolded and bound prisoners on armoured vehicles and seized four US Humvees.

Russian soldiers took about 20 Georgian troops prisoner at a key Black Sea port in western Georgia today.

Russia’s top military officer today accused Georgia of fabricating a report of a Russian missile attack, as Moscow and its small Westward-looking neighbour continued angry bickering over an incident that heightened bilateral tensions.

US troops have launched operations in the former Soviet republic of Georgia to train local forces in anti-terrorism tactics.