Russia orders troops pullback but keeps weapons near Ukraine

The Russian troop build-up near Ukraine that came amid increasing violations of a ceasefire in Ukraine’s east has raised concerns in the West, which urged the Kremlin to pull its forces back

A Russian paratrooper walks as others wait to be loaded into a plane for airborne drills during manoeuvres in Taganrog, Russia. Picture: AP

Russia’s defence minister has ordered troops back to their permanent bases following massive drills in Crimea that involved dozens of navy ships, hundreds of warplanes and thousands of troops in a show of force amid tensions with Ukraine.

After watching the drills, Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu declared the manoeuvres over and ordered the military to pull the troops taking part in manoeuvres in Crimea and western Russia back to their permanent bases.