Russia Orders Some Troops to Withdraw From Ukraine Border
Move could help de-escalate tensions with Kyiv and the West, but Moscow’s continuing military presence in region appears likely to keep nerves on edge
Russia’s Defense Ministry ordered some of its troops to begin withdrawing from the Ukrainian border in a move that could help de-escalate tensions with Kyiv and the West, but its continuing military presence in the volatile region appears likely to keep nerves on edge.
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned adversaries that Moscow would deliver a swift and harsh response to any foreign threat amid a vast buildup of forces along the frontier between the two countries.
The defense ministry said it had deployed more than 10,000 personnel and 1,200 units of equipment to participate in military exercises in Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014, in what it had described as a snap test of combat readiness in response to “threatening military activities” by the U.S. and its partners in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
These troops would be deployed back to their permanent bases by May 1, defense officials said Thursday.
But an undisclosed number of troops have also been deployed for exercises along Russia’s western border near eastern Ukraine, where a conflict has been festering between Kyiv and Kremlin-backed separatists. The defense ministry didn’t say when they would be returned to base.
Western officials estimate that Russia has sent between 80,000 and 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s border, larger than the force the Russians deployed when they seized Crimea and sent troops into eastern Ukraine.
The buildup raised fears of triggering full-scale war between Ukrainian forces and Kremlin-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, and follows a recent escalation of fighting along the demarcation line inside Ukraine. Kyiv said several of its soldiers had been killed in cease-fire violations.
President Biden had called on Russia to dial down tensions, and NATO said Russia should end its military buildup.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said Thursday that the U.S. was aware of Russia’s announcement that it would begin withdrawing troops from the border of Ukraine, and that Washington would continue to monitor the situation.
“We’ve heard words. I think what we’ll be looking for is action,” Mr. Price said.
“Any steps towards de-escalation by Russia would be important and well overdue,” a NATO official said in an email. The alliance “remains vigilant and we will continue to closely monitor Russia’s unjustified military buildup in and around Ukraine,” the official said.
Completing a surprise check of the combat readiness of troops taking part in exercises in Crimea, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said they “demonstrated their capacity for solid national defense.”
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