(CNN) — Russia defended its recognition of two independence-seeking Georgian provinces as a U.S. ship carrying aid docked in Georgia on Wednesday.

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Dallas bypassed its original destination, the Georgian port of Poti, which is controlled by Russian troops still in the country despite a cease-fire deal to end conflict between the two countries.

The Dallas carried 80 pallets with more than 76,000 pounds of relief supplies, the U.S. Sixth Fleet public affairs office said in a statement, including hygiene items, food, milk and juices.

The cutter is delivering aid as part of a larger U.S. program that has delivered supplies worth at least $20 million to Georgia.

More than 50 U.S. military flights have also landed in Georgia. And a U.S. Navy ship — the USS McFaul — recently arrived at the Batumi port with 155,000 pounds of bottled water, milk, baby food and other items, the U.S. Navy said.

The United States says it has also delivered sanitation facilities, tents, bedding and dry and canned goods to Georgia.

Russia has criticized the U.S. program to deliver $20 million of aid to Georgia. One general labeled the move “devilish,” according to The Associated Press.

Russia’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia Tuesday raised the stakes in a stand-off between the West and Moscow over the future of the provinces and of Georgia.

Russian military entered Georgia proper from the provinces in early August after Georgian troops attacked separatists in South Ossetia. Russia called it an extension of their peacekeeping duties. The West and Georgia called it an invasion.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia “was not a step taken lightly, or without full consideration of the consequences.”

In an op-ed that appeared Tuesday night on The Financial Times Web site, he said Georgia was fighting a “vicious war on its minority nations.”

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written by Andrew