Russia says it is withdrawing some troops from Ukraine border
Russia, on Tuesday, announced that some of its troops are returning from the Ukrainian border, after weeks of tensions between the hostile neighbors. A spokesperson of the Russian defense ministry, however, added their troops would continue to move across the country as they deem fit. Official footage from Russia showed several tanks and other armored vehicles leaving areas near the border.
Why does this story matter?
This marks the first major step toward de-escalation along the Russia-Ukraine border. The world's largest country had amassed more than 1,00,000 troops and advanced weaponry near the border but repeatedly denied having any plans of invading the former Soviet republic. Russia has been opposing Ukraine's efforts to join NATO, an international military alliance led by the United States.
Some exercises are still ongoing, Russia says
"Units of the Southern and Western military districts that have completed their missions have already begun boarding rail and automobile transport and will begin relocating to their garrisons today," the Russian defense ministry said in a statement. "The Russian Armed Forces are continuing a range of large-scale exercises for operational training of troops and forces," as per the ministry's statement.
'Western propaganda has failed'
"February 15, 2022 will go into history as the day western war propaganda failed. They have been disgraced and destroyed without a single shot being fired," the Russian foreign ministry said. Officials from the United States and several other Western nations have repeatedly warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could begin as soon as this week.
How does Ukraine see the move?
Reacting to the pullback, Ukraine said Russia must withdraw all of its remaining forces from the border to defuse tensions. "We have a rule: Do not believe what you hear, believe what you see," the country's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba told reporters on Tuesday. "When we see a withdrawal, we will believe in a de-escalation."
India says its nationals should fly out
Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv has advised Indian nationals to leave the country for the time being. The advisory especially mentioned that "students whose stay is not essential" should consider flying out. The United States, Britain, and several other countries had already issued similar advisories for their citizens residing in Ukraine.
