Russian troops to return to bases

Russian troops in the western regions bordering Ukraine are preparing to return to their home bases in line with President Vladimir Putin’s order, Russia’s Defence Ministry said today.

Mr Putin ordered the withdrawal yesterday in what could be an attempt to ease tensions with the West over Ukraine.

His order appears to go further than his claim two weeks ago that troops were being pulled back from the border to shooting ranges.

The US and Nato, which estimates that Russia has 40,000 troops along the border with Ukraine, said they saw no immediate sign of a pull-out after Mr Putin’s claim.

The Defence Ministry said today that its forces in the Bryansk, Belgorod and Rostov regions are dismantling their summer camps in preparation for a march to their home bases.