Russia moving missile launchers into South Ossetia

WASHINGTON — Even as Russia pledged to begin withdrawing its forces from neighboring Georgia today, U.S. officials said the Russian military had been moving launchers for short-range ballistic missiles into South Ossetia, a step that appeared intended to tighten its hold on the breakaway territory.

The Russians deployed several SS-21 missile launchers and supply vehicles Friday, according to U.S. officials familiar with intelligence reports. From those positions north of Tskhinvali, the South Ossetian capital, the missiles can reach much of Georgia, including Tbilisi, the capital.

The Kremlin said Sunday that Russia's president, Dmitri Medvedev, had promised to begin the troop withdrawal in a conversation with President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, who negotiated a six-point cease-fire agreement.

Medvedev did not specify the pace or scope, saying only troops would withdraw to South Ossetia and a so-called security zone on its periphery.

The United States and European leaders reacted with wariness, and Russia's recent military moves appeared to add an element of frustration.

U.S. officials have demanded Russian troops pull back and the Russian military presence be limited to the peacekeeping force there before the conflict erupted.

But instead of thinning out their forces in South Ossetia, the Russians appear to be consolidating their presence.

Russian claims exaggerated

TSKHINVALI, Georgia — A visit to this war-strafed city Sunday turned up no proof of Russian claims that more than 2,000 people died here. Nor was there any ready sign of what Prime Minister Vladimir Putin referred to as "genocide."

The downtown of Tskhinvali, capital of South Ossetia, sustained heavy damage in a five-day barrage of rockets and missiles as Russian troops and their local allies battled Georgian forces.

As of Sunday, Tskhinvali Regional Hospital had confirmed the deaths of 40 people, civilian and combatants, in the violence, said Tina Zakharova, an Ossetian doctor.

Los Angeles Times