A lesson in propaganda: Russia Today has the word GENOCIDE splattered all across its screen. Watch a live stream here.

How do Russians support their claim? They say over 1600 civilians have died in South Ossetia, that Georgians have reduced Tskhinvali to ruins, destroyed 5 Ossetian villages, and have forced tens of thousands of South Ossetians to flee over the border. Georgia, Russians claim, has caused a humanitarian catastrophe in South Ossetia. Also, Russia denies having bombed targets inside Georgia.

The scale of propaganda and deceit by Russia does a lot to help assess the gravity of the situation, and should determine the West to take a firmer stance against Moscow.

For a different perspective, look at this interview by EurasiaNet, where a wounded Georgian soldier talks about Russian jet bombing Tskhinvali.