I know next to nothing about Russian/Georgian relations. I do know energy resources are at the heart of how they deal with each other. This can't be good:

MOSCOW, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Russia cannot rule out military action in dealing with mounting tensions with neighboring Georgia, the daily Kommersant reported on Monday.

"All diplomatic steps that are usually taken in such strained relations have been exhausted ... The next action could be the breaking of diplomatic relations and a military operation," the report warned, quoting an unnamed source with Russia's Defense Ministry.

Relations between Moscow and Tbilisi have been increasingly strained since Georgian authorities arrested four Russian officers last week, charging them with spying activities.

Russia has recalled its ambassador in Tbilisi and evacuated itscitizens.

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his first public comments on the crisis on Sunday, denouncing the arrest as "an act of state terrorism involving the taking of hostages."

Meanwhile, Gen. Andrei Popov, the commander of Russian military forces in Georgia, has put his troops on high alert and ordered them to use whatever means to defend their bases "from aggression."

"We are ready to thwart any possible attempts to penetrate our facilities using all means, including shoot to kill," Popov said.

Russia has between 3,000 and 4,000 troops at two military bases in Georgia. According to a deal signed last year, Moscow agreed to pull out all the troops by the end of 2008.

Gen. Alexander Baranov, the commander of Russia's North Caucasus military district, said on Saturday that the withdrawal would be suspended as a result of the officers' arrest.

Any alert readers out there who want to help me out get 1000 quatloos and a raised glass of wine at my birthday party this weekend.