Russian president warns Georgians

MOSCOW, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev issued a warning Monday to "anyone who thinks they can get away with killing our citizens and officers."

The Russian leader promised a tough response to any aggression as its armored vehicles began to withdraw from the South Ossetian capital, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported.

The majority of residents of South Ossetia hold Russian citizenship and Moscow says it launched a massive operation to expel Georgia troops from the region after Georgia launched an offensive Aug. 8.

"If anyone thinks they can get away with killing our citizens and officers, we will not allow this," Medvedev said. "Anyone who tries to do something of the kind will receive a crushing response."

Medvedev said Russia is seeking respect, not escalation.

"We have always been a peace-loving nation," he said. "The Russian, Soviet state has never started a war."