A Russian armoured column comprising at least 100 vehicles rolled south from the Georgian city of Gori this afternoon towards the capital, Tbilisi, in an apparent breach of yesterday’s French-brokered ceasefire to end the conflict in the Caucasus.

Civilians fleeing the region also told how separatist militias backed by Russian troops were attacking and killing Georgian villagers in the hills around the town, which is around 17km from the borders of disputed South Ossetia.

The Russian column, which included armoured personnel carriers, troop-carrying trucks and support trucks with anti-aircraft guns, was witnessed by Times correspondent Tony Halpin, who said: “The ceasefire agreement specified that they were meant to go backwards. They are clearly going forwards.”

Gori, about 17km from the disputed enclave of South Ossetia, has been blocked off, but other witnesses saw at least half a dozen Russian tanks patrolling the town. News agency reports suggested that some tanks had joined the Russian advance.

So much for that ceasefire, huh? And take a look at the ruins of South Ossetia.