Russian soldiers commandeer U.S. Humvees

Russian soldiers commandeer U.S. Humvees
By Bela Szandelszky - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Aug 20, 2008 6:05:17 EDT

POTI, Georgia — Russia has taken the first steps toward a troop pullback from Georgia but at the same time paraded blindfolded and bound Georgian prisoners on armored vehicles and seized four U.S. Humvees.

The mixed signals came Tuesday as NATO allies met in emergency session in Belgium and demanded Russia fulfill its promise to withdraw its forces from the small former Soviet republic.

A small Russian column including three tanks, three trucks, five armored personnel carriers and a rocket-launcher left Gori, the central city that straddles a vital east-west highway. A Russian officer said they were headed for South Ossetia, the disputed province at the heart of the conflict, then home to Russia.

The move toward withdrawal came on the same day as a powerful image of Russia’s grip over Georgia: Russian trucks and armored vehicles carrying about 20 Georgian men, blindfolded, handcuffed and held at gunpoint.

They were taken from the western city of Poti to the nearby, Russian-controlled military base in Senaki, according to Poti’s mayor, who said he had been told they would be released on Wednesday.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/08/ap_georgia_081908/