Russians Still On The Move?

Are the Russians still advancing into Georgia? Some media outlets are carrying information that indicates that they are.

This from AFP;

Russian forces are moving toward the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, and trying to encircle the city, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili told CNN on Aug. 13.

"The Russians are encroaching upon the capital. They are making a circle," Saakashvili said. "We will protect our capital until the last drop of our blood. We will never surrender to the Russians."
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The Georgian leader added that Georgian forces were stationed in and around Tbilisi and vowing an "all-out resistance" to the Russian forces.
[...]
Russia, however, has accused Georgia of failing to pursue an "active withdrawal" from South Ossetia.

"Georgian forces have begun their pullback toward Tbilisi,, but no active withdrawal has yet been observed," said Russian Col. Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn, deputy chief of the staff of the armed forces.

Russia's military said its forces were in the Georgian city of Gori removing military vehicles and munitions from Georgian army facilities, Russian news agencies reported.

"With the goal of demilitarizing the zone adjacent to the conflict, and likewise with the goal of guaranteeing the safety of the civilian population, Russian peacekeepers are removing these vehicles and munitions," a military spokesman was quoted as saying by Interfax and RIA Novosti, referring to an abandoned Georgian arsenal outside Gori.
[...]
[Saakashvili] also lashed out at his ally, the U.S., saying that early comments on the Russian attacks had not been tough enough.

"Well, frankly, some of the first statements from Washington were perceived by the Russians almost as a green light for doing this because they were too soft. Russians don't understand that kind of soft language," Saakashvili said.

And, the President said today that the US has received reports of Russian forces advancing deeper into Georgia, actions that are "inconsistent" with Moscow's statement it had halted military operations.

This from the White House;

Russia has stated that changing the government of Georgia is not its goal. The United States and the world expect Russia to honor that commitment. Russia has also stated that it has halted military operations and agreed to a provisional cease-fire. Unfortunately, we're receiving reports of Russian actions that are inconsistent with these statements. We're concerned about reports that Russian units have taken up positions on the east side of the city of Gori, which allows them to block the East-West Highway, divide the country, and threaten the capital of Tbilisi.

We're concerned about reports that Russian forces have entered and taken positions in the port city of Poti, that Russian armored vehicles are blocking access to that port, and that Russia is blowing up Georgian vessels. We're concerned about reports that Georgian citizens of all ethnic origins are not being protected. All forces, including Russian forces, have an obligation to protect innocent civilians from attack.

With these concerns in mind, I have directed a series of steps to demonstrate our solidarity with the Georgian people and bring about a peaceful resolution to this conflict. I'm sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to France, where she will confer with President Sarkozy. She will then travel to Tbilisi, where she will personally convey America's unwavering support for Georgia's democratic government. On this trip she will continue our efforts to rally the free world in the defense of a free Georgia.

I've also directed Secretary of Defense Bob Gates to begin a humanitarian mission to the people of Georgia, headed by the United States military. This mission will be vigorous and ongoing. A U.S. C-17 aircraft with humanitarian supplies is on its way. And in the days ahead we will use U.S. aircraft, as well as naval forces, to deliver humanitarian and medical supplies.

We expect Russia to honor its commitment to let in all forms of humanitarian assistance. We expect Russia to ensure that all lines of communication and transport, including seaports, airports, roads, and airspace, remain open for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and for civilian transit. We expect Russia to meet its commitment to cease all military activities in Georgia. And we expect all Russian forces that entered Georgia in recent days to withdraw from that country.

As I have made clear, Russia's ongoing action raise serious questions about its intentions in Georgia and the region. In recent years, Russia has sought to integrate into the diplomatic, political, economic, and security structures of the 21st century. The United States has supported those efforts. Now Russia is putting its aspirations at risk by taking actions in Georgia that are inconsistent with the principles of those institutions. To begin to repair the damage to its relations with the United States, Europe, and other nations, and to begin restoring its place in the world, Russia must keep its word and act to end this crisis.

More later.
(Sources: Defense News, White House)