The US entered the battle zone of Georgia last night as George Bush said America would provide military aircraft and naval forces to deliver aid to its ally.

The US entered the battle zone of Georgia last night as George Bush said America would provide military aircraft and naval forces to deliver aid to its ally.

President Bush told Russia to end the crisis and ordered Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Tbilisi to show "unwavering" US support for the former Soviet republic.

His moves marked Washington's strongest show of support for Georgia since the conflict erupted last week.

"The United States of America stands with the democratically elected government of Georgia. We insist that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia be respected," said Mr Bush.

"Russia must keep its word and act to end this crisis."

Russia accused the US of playing a dangerous game in the Caucasus by backing Georgia and denied Moscow was not doing enough to prevent looting, which was reported in the town of Gori.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: "We understand that this current Georgian leadership is a special project of the United States, but one day the United States will have to choose between defending its prestige over a virtual project or real partnership which requires joint action."

Last night the first US aid flight, a C-17 military cargo plane, loaded with supplies, had landed in Georgia, with a second flight planned for today.

While the Pentagon's officials were saying the military mission was "strictly to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the victims of this conflict", US Defence Department spokesman Bryan Whitman later said the administration will also review what military help is needed for Georgia's now-shattered armed forces.

Dr Rice, who was due to leave last night, said that Russia "must end" military operations in Georgia and respect the US aid effort warning the country faced deeper isolation if it violated a French-brokered ceasefire.

The American rhetoric and action followed another day of disputed reports of broken ceasefires and Russian troops moving at will through the Georgian country.

Mr Bush claimed he had received reports of Russian actions that were "inconsistent" with Moscow's statement it had halted military operations.

He said he was concerned about reports that Russian forces were blocking roads and access to the port in Poti, and blowing up Georgian vessels.

While Moscow has denied violating the ceasefire, Mr Bush cited reports that Russian units had taken up positions inside Georgia that allow them to threaten Tbilisi.

The US expects Russia to stop all military activities in Georgia and withdraw forces that entered in recent days, Mr Bush added.

The conflict erupted last week when Georgia sent forces to retake South Ossetia, a pro-Russian province that threw off Georgian rule in the 1990s.