Russian tanks and troops roamed freely around Gori today and made forays toward the Georgian capital, keeping control of the road that slices through Georgia’s midsection despite Russia’s announcement that a withdrawal had begun.

Russian president Dmitry Medvedev announced that Russian troops will begin pulling back from Georgia tomorrow as Western leaders pushed for a swift withdrawal from positions Russia has held for days of warfare in its small southern neighbour.

Uncertainty remained in the troubled region of Georgia today as a ceasefire agreement awaited signature by the Russian president.