The Russian response is legitimate
This contributor doesn't usually support Russia, and is often a critic of Russia's foreign policy ( ie, support for war on terror, continuing support for Iraqi occupation, support of sanctions against Iran, sanctioning international assassinations, warcrimes in Chechnya, energy blackmail, and so on and on and on, etc)
Currently I have sympathy for the position that Russia has been forced to take. Studying all the known facts it is clear that the Russian military action is a direct response to Georgian aggression. On 7th August Georgia attacked South Ossetia killing Russian citizens and Russian peacekeepers who were serving in that region as part of a long term United Nations mandate. Russia had no choice but to respond and drive the Georgian forces out of South Ossetia.
Having achieved this military objective does Russia have the right to attack military targets outside south Ossetia? Of course Russia has that right. The Georgian parliament declared war on Russia, and the military bases and forces outside South Ossetia still pose a threat to Russian forces. For peace to break out Georgia the main antagonist and aggressor should disarm, and the people should try to get rid of President Mikhail Saakashvillli the fool that led them into this slaughter. Mikhail Saakashvillli wants Georgia to become a member of NATO, and United states troops have been training the Georgian military, whilst Georgia has also been expanding its military budget and military capabilities.
The West also should take some blame. Whilst the EU, UN and the West in general don't recognise the separatist aspirations of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, they were quick to support independence for Kosovo, despite lack of a UN mandate. The hypocrisy is clear, one rule for pro-west region and one rule for pro-Russian regions.
What are the consequence? The British have made it plain that there can be no military solution and will push for diplomacy. Apart from that the west can do nothing and their drive to expand NATO has now met with a Russia counter-attack that could spread to other former Soviet republics. As the west can't respond militarily this will give Russia further confidence to begin a more aggressive policy towards bordering nations, such as Ukraine which has a significant Russia population, and Poland which intends to support the US missile defence shield. There may even be a more aggressive policy towards the middle east. Like the US, Israel has been providing military training and equipment to the Georgian military, and this could prompt more Russia arms sales to Syria and Iran which will reach Israel's enemies, such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
Western policy towards Russia has failed. Instead of offering partnership and cooperation the West has caused friction by offering NATO membership to former Soviet republics. A provocation that has lead to a dangerous clash between Russia and a unpredictable western proxy. The only sensible solution is for the Georgian president to be quickly defeated, and for the west to adopt a more sensible diplomacy towards Russia, one based on respect, logic and cooperation.