Russia says it returns some troops to base near Ukraine
(VOVWORLD) - Some troops in Russia's military districts adjacent to Ukraine are returning to their bases after completing drills, Russia's defense ministry said on Tuesday, a move that could de-escalate frictions between Moscow and the West.
 A tank of Russian armed forces drives during military exercises in the Leningrad Region, Russia, in this handout picture released February 14, 2022. (Photo: Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS) |
A ministry spokesman said in a video published online that while large-scale drills across the country continued, some units of the Southern and Western military districts have completed their exercises and started returning to base.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Kyiv would "believe in de-escalation" only after it sees Russia's pullout, the Interfax Ukraine news agency reported.
Russia has amassed over 100,000 troops near Ukraine's borders, prompting fears of an invasion. Although Moscow has denied ever planning to attack Ukraine, it has demanded legally binding guarantees from the United States and NATO that Kyiv will not be allowed to join the military bloc.