Russia ordered a halt to military action in Georgia today after five days of air and land attacks that sent Georgia's army into headlong retreat and left towns, military bases and homes smoldering. Just hours before, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's order, Georgian officials said Russian jets targeted government offices and an outdoor market in the key Georgian city of Gori, killing six.

Gori's post office and university were burning on Tuesday, and the city was all but deserted after most remaining residents and Georgian soldiers fled on Monday ahead of a feared Russian onslaught.

Russian deputy chief of General Staff Anatoly Nogovitsyn insisted on Tuesday that Russian forces did not bomb Gori and said Russian troops weren't in the city.

However, another Gori resident confirmed a "bomb has been dropped".

In the South Ossetian capital of Tskhinvali, many residents have been left homeless and terrified amid widespread devastation following the recent hostilities.

Medvedev said on national television that the military had punished Georgia enough for its attack on South Ossetia.

However, the Russian president also said he ordered the military to defend itself and quell any aggressive action and armed resistance from Georgian forces, which many fear could lead to more violence.

AP