A Russian military column crossed from Georgia back into Russia yesterday after Western governments raised pressure for a quick and full pullout under an international ceasefire deal.

A correspondent near the Roki tunnel that links Russia with Georgia's pro-Russian rebel province of South Ossetia said a dozen trucks crossed the frontier around midday.

He said he could see more Russian military vehicles in the distance moving from South Ossetia towards the border. There was no sign of armored vehicles.