Ukraine crisis: Russian forces 'have begun pulling away from Ukrainian border'

Ukraine crisis: Russian forces 'have begun pulling away from Ukrainian border'

By Euronews with AFP • Updated: 15/02/2022 - 13:30

https://www.euronews.com/2022/02/15/russian-forces-have-begun-pulling-away-from-ukraine-s-border-says-russia-s-defence-ministr

Russian forces deployed near Ukraine's border have begun returning to their garrisons, says Russia's defence ministry.

Major General Igor Konashenkov, the defence ministry's spokesperson, said on Tuesday morning that "as the military military training activities are over, as always, marches will be carried out in a combined way to permanent dislocation points".

"The units of the Southern and Western military districts that have completed their tasks have already started loading railroad and motor vehicles and today they will start moving into their military garrisons," he added in a video released on Facebook.

Заявление официального представителя Минобороны России о возвращении соединений и воинских частей в пункты постоянной дислокации

Заявление официального представителя Министерства обороны Российской Федерации генерал-майора Игоря Конашенкова о возвращении соединений и воинских частей в пункты постоянной дислокации: «В Вооруженных Силах Российской Федерации продолжается комплекс масштабных мероприятий оперативной подготовки войск и сил. В них принимают участие практически все военные округа, флоты и ВДВ. В рамках проверки сил реагирования Союзного государства на территории Республики Беларусь проводится совместное российско-белорусское учение «Союзная решимость-2022». Войска Восточного военного округа и ВДВ, участвующие в данном учении, во взаимодействии с белорусскими вооруженными силами отрабатывают вопросы отражения агрессии против Союзного государства в ходе оборонительной операции. На полигоне «Обуз-Лесновский», 19 февраля, предусмотрен этап боевой стрельбы. В ходе этого мероприятия бригада морской пехоты совместно с соединениями и воинскими частями вооруженных сил Республики Беларусь при поддержке оперативно-тактической и армейской авиации отработают задачи ведения оборонительного боя и совершения маневров на другие направления. На розыгрыш практических действий, в качестве наблюдателей, приглашены военные атташе по вопросам обороны при посольствах иностранных государств в Республике Беларусь и представители СМИ. В оперативно-важных районах мирового океана и акваториях морей, прилегающих к территории России проводится серия военно-морских учений, в которых задействованы надводные корабли, подводные лодки и морская авиация. Продолжается проведение учений с соединениями и воинскими частями на других полигонах на территории Российской Федерации. Ряд мероприятий боевой подготовки, включая и учения, выполнены в соответствии с планом. По мере окончания мероприятий боевой подготовки войска, как и всегда, совершат марши комбинированным способом в пункты постоянной дисклокации. Подразделения Южного и Западного военных округов, выполнившие задачи, уже приступили к погрузке на железнодорожный и автомобильный транспорт и сегодня начнут движение в свои воинские гарнизоны. Отдельные подразделения совершат марши своим ходом в составе воинских колонн». Официальный представитель Минобороны России генерал-майор Игорь Конашенков
Posted by Минобороны России on Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Trans:

Statement by the official representative of the Russian Defense Ministry on the return of formations and military units to permanent locations

Statement by the official representative of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Major General Igor Konashenkov, on the return of formations and military units to permanent deployment points: "A complex of large-scale measures of operational training of troops and forces continues in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Almost all military districts, fleets and airborne forces take part in them. As part of the verification of the reaction forces of the Union State, a joint Russian-Belarusian exercise "Allied Resolve-2022" is being held on the territory of the Republic of Belarus. The troops of the Eastern Military District and the Airborne forces participating in this exercise, in cooperation with the Belarusian armed forces, are working out issues of repelling aggression against the Union State during a defensive operation. At the Obuz-Lesnovsky training ground, on February 19, a stage of combat shooting is provided. During this event, the marine brigade, together with formations and military units of the Armed forces of the Republic of Belarus, with the support of operational-tactical and army aviation, will work out the tasks of conducting defensive combat and performing maneuvers in other directions. Military attaches on defense issues at the embassies of foreign states in the Republic of Belarus and representatives of the media were invited to the practical action draw as observers. A series of naval exercises involving surface ships, submarines and naval aviation is being conducted in operationally important areas of the world ocean and the waters of the seas adjacent to the territory of Russia. Exercises with formations and military units at other training grounds on the territory of the Russian Federation continue. A number of combat training activities, including exercises, were carried out in accordance with the plan. As soon as the combat training activities are completed, the troops, as always, will make marches in a combined way to the points of permanent dislocation. The units of the Southern and Western Military Districts that have completed the tasks have already begun loading onto rail and road transport and will begin moving to their military garrisons today. Individual units will make marches on their own as part of military columns." The official representative of the Russian Defense Ministry, Major General Igor Konashenkov
Posted by the Russian Defense Ministry on Tuesday, February 15, 2022

This has been seen as the first sign of de-escalation from Moscow. But NATO's chief said on Tuesday that the Western alliance had still not seen any signs of a reduced Russian military presence on the Ukrainian border.

Signs from Moscow that it is still willing to engage in dialogue "gives some reason for cautious optimism", Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told a news conference, adding that NATO would continue to follow closely what was happening on the ground, to see whether it amounted to a "real de-escalation".

Russia has deployed more than 100,000 troops and military equipment along its shared border with Ukraine in recent months, stoking fears it might invade its neighbour, an accusation Moscow has continuously rejected.

It has however demanded guarantees from NATO that Ukraine and other former Soviet nations will never be allowed to join the security alliance, which Western allies have rejected, citing the right of all nations to self-determination.

Western allies have instead drawn up a list of "severe" economic sanctions in a bid to dissuade Moscow from undertaking any military incursion into Ukraine amid a flurry of high-level diplomatic talks between Russia and the West and among NATO members. Defence ministers from the transatlantic security alliance are gathering for a two-day meeting in Brussels on Wednesday.

Ukrainian defence minister Dmytro Kuleba reacted to Moscow's announcement that it is withdrawing some troops from the border, saying: "Together with our partners, we have managed to prevent any further escalation by Russia."

"Russia makes all kinds of statements all the time, so we have a rule: we will believe in de-escalation when we see the withdrawal of troops," he added, describing the current situation as "tense but under control."

Russia's announcement comes as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is scheduled to meet President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. Putin also discussed the ongoing situation with the leader of the US and France, Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron, over the weekend.

Scholz, who visited Kyiv on Monday, reiterated the West's support for the"sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine". He had also requested Moscow "urgently" show signs of de-escalation.

Russian troops are for now also deployed in Belarus to take part in joint military exercises scheduled to end on 20 January. Moscow has also moved six warships into the Black Sea.

But Moscow appeared to back the diplomatic route on Monday with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov replying to a question from Putin on whether there is "a chance" negotiations with Washington and NATO allies can yield results, by saying: "I think we should continue to pursue and build on them (negotiations) at this point."



Biden and Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson also agreed during a call on Monday evening that there "remained a crucial window for diplomacy."