Mike Sylvester,

Reuters: Two Reuters reporters in Gori said they saw no evidence of a substantial Russian presence in the town. One said he saw Georgian soldiers leaving in convoys. … “We are right now driving through the town and I see no trace of troops or military vehicles. It is absolutely deserted.”

Wretchard’s link at 6:27: US defense officials said they were unable to corroborate Georgian claims that Russian troops had pushed into Gori. “I don’t know why the Georgians are saying that,” said a defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We don’t see anything that supports they are in Gori.”

Yes I read that too. But taken in the whole context of operations it only means the Georgians left before the Russians got there. An orderly withdrawal, not one in the face of the enemy in pursuit, which the Georgians could not survive. I would be glad to be wrong and not see the Russians in Gori, but I think they’ll be there. The question will be settled as fact in a few hours and then we’ll know.