Russia’s prime minister Vladimir Putin today defended Russia’s war in Georgia and insisted that Russia has no intention of annexing the territory of former Soviet republics.

WALTER SMITH is confident Rangers can secure the win they need in Kaunas and book a place in the final qualifying round of the Champions League despite last night’s goalless stalemate at Ibrox.

GEORGIA said yesterday it would seek Western support to replace Russian peacekeepers in the breakaway province of Abkhazia with an international force, but Nato struck a cautious note.

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.

Russia today denied a claim by Georgian officials who said two Russian fighter jets violated its airspace and fired a missile which did not explode.

THE commander of Russian military forces in Georgia yesterday said his troops had been put on high alert and ordered to use lethal force to defend their bases as tensions mount after the arrest of four Russian military officers accused of spying.

Russia has evacuated all but two staff members and guards from its embassy in Georgia and announced it was suspending planning for further troop withdrawals from its ex-Soviet neighbour.

US President George Bush arrived in the ex-Soviet republic of Georgia today on a visit that Georgians hope will notch up the pressure on Russia to respect this young democracy on its doorstep.

UEFA are “gathering information” following suspicious betting patterns on a UEFA Cup match.

IRELAND seem sure of a chilly welcome weatherwise in Georgia this week but a much warmer one from the local fans.