Russia has deployed several SS-21 tactical missile launchers and supply vehicles to South Ossetia, putting the Georgian capital of Tbilisi within their striking range, The New York Times has reported.
Citing unnamed US officials familiar with intelligence reports, the newspaper said the launching positions were located north of Tskhinvali, the South Ossetian capital.
The report came as Russian forces continued to man positions along the road from Tbilisi to Gori, including at a checkpoint in Igoeti, only 30km from the capital.
An AFP reporter saw a long column of Russian vehicles, including about 25 tanks and 25 armoured personnel carriers, parked outside Gori. A Russian soldier told AFP the forces were peacekeepers and would be staying.
But The Times, citing western officials, said elite Russian troops were now being moved into positions in the region, or being prepared to move there.
A battalion from Russia's 76th Guards Airborne Division has been deployed from Pskov to Beslan, a city in North Ossetia, the report pointed out.
Several additional battalions from the 98th Guards Airborne Division based in Kostroma also appeared to be preparing for possible deployment to the Caucasus region, the paper said.
In addition, several Bear-H bombers have carried out training missions over the Black Sea, according to the report.
The planes, capable of carrying non-nuclear cruise missiles, appeared to simulate a missile attacks against Georgia, said The Times, citing intelligence analysts.
The paper said the actions are seen in the Pentagon as muscle flexing designed to make some NATO members more skeptical about accepting Georgia into the alliance, and are not viewed as signs that Russia intended to take Tbilisi.
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