Russian troops roll deeper into Georgia

RUSSIAN jets staged raids and its forces moved deeper into Georgian territory yesterday as Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin denounced the US for helping Georgia.

Two EU foreign ministers pressed efforts to broker a ceasefire deal but diplomatic tensions between Russia and the US held up efforts to pass a UN Security Council call for an end to the fighting over the breakaway region of South Ossetia.

Russia and Georgia traded accusations that each was launching attacks, while aid agencies warned of a mounting humanitarian crisis, heightening urgency to international efforts to secure a halt to the fighting.