Putin vows to do all he can to save hostages

RUSSIAN president Vladimir Putin, vowed he would do all he could to save hundreds of children, parents and teachers held hostage in a school gym by armed militants.

The gunmen, who threatened to blow up the school in North Ossetia in the turbulent Caucasus region, yesterday freed 26 children and women from among at least 350 hostages.

"It's all over, you're okay," a burly soldier in fatigues, automatic gun slung over his shoulder, whispered as he carried a wailing child of about three months past an armoured vehicle.