Free Republic

The puppy was named Umka PSKOV, October 8./TASS/. A schoolgirl from the western Russian city of Pskov has received an Akita Inu puppy as a gift from Russian President Vladimir Putin, the press service of the Pskov Region's government has said. "On this day a schoolgirl received a present from Russian President Vladimir Putin. The country's leader fulfilled the girl's longtime dream of having her own pet dog, Vika has long been dreaming about having an Akita Inu puppy," the statement says. When Vika saw the puppy, she burst into tears of joy. The puppy was named Umka. "I'm very...

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,...