Georgia, whose troops have been trained by American soldiers, began an offensive to regain control over South Ossetia overnight on Friday, launching heavy rocket and artillery fire and air strikes that pounded the provincial capital, Tskhinvali.

In response, Russia, which has granted passports to most South Ossetians, launched overwhelming artillery shelling and air attacks on Georgian troops. (NTV Russian Channel, AP)

Georgia called a cease-fire Sunday and said it was pulling its embattled troops out of the disputed province of South Ossetia, submitting to Russia's far superior firepower, but Moscow disputed the pullout claim. (Musa Sadulayev, AP)

Georgian troops retreated from South Ossetia on Sunday and their government pressed for a truce, overwhelmed by Russian firepower as the conflict threatened to set off a wider war. (Sergei Grits, AP)