Russia/Georgia

Pentagon describes Russian withdrawal as "minor"

Article published on the 2008-08-22 Latest update 2008-08-22 16:32 TU

Russian military vehicles leave from a Georgian military base while departing Gori.
(Photo: Reuters)

Russian military vehicles moved from Georgia towards the province of South Ossetia on Friday. Approximately 100 tanks and trucks were seen moving along the main highway in the afternoon.

The Pentagon described the movement as "minor" and said it was not clear whether Russian forces were repositioning or beginning a withdrawal.

Correspondent Régis Genté told RFI that the city of Gori was completely free of Russian soldiers on Friday. He said however it was too early to tell if Russian forces were leaving for good, but it is certain that they would maintain a presence in the buffer zone.

 

Russia has said 500 peacekeepers will remain in the buffer zone. Deputy Chief of General Staff, Anatoly Nogovitsyn on Friday showed a map of a "zone of responsibility" that Russia will maintain inside Georgian territory. A German government spokesperson said the presence of Russian peacekeeping forces should be temporary.

Russia's commander on the ground, General Vladimir Boldyrev said on Thursday that ten days will be needed for most troops to leave their current position.

On Friday, Russia criticised Nato military exercises in the Black Sea, saying that they would not "contribute to the stabilisation of the situation in the region". Nato said the exercises, which began on Thursday, were "routine".