Russia-Ukraine conflict: Russian defense ministry says several troop units to return to bases

Tensions have escalated as of late following the buildup of Russian troops at its border with Ukraine, with the US warning that an invasion may take place at any time. Russia’s defense ministry said that some of its troop units in certain districts have returned to their bases.

The Russian defense ministry claimed this week that some troop units in the Western and Southern military districts close to Ukraine have begun returning to their bases following their completion of drills. The claim comes in the midst of warnings by the west that an invasion may take place due to military activity, with Washington and other countries urging their citizens who are in Ukraine to leave immediately.

This also follows the comments made by Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov Monday to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Lavrov insisted that diplomatic efforts are “far from exhausted,” endorsing diplomacy to come to a solution to the crisis in the region. Lavrov also proposed that diplomatic efforts must continue to come to a solution, to which Putin agreed.

However, despite the claims by Russia’s defense ministry regarding some troop units coming from military exercises, the tens of thousands of soldiers at the borders continue to fuel concerns. Recent satellite images by the US firm Maxar Technologies taken on Sunday and Monday found that military activity increased at several areas near Ukraine, such as Belarus, Crimea, and western Russia.

The firm has been tracking the Russian military’s activity in the area for some time and has highlighted the deployments of large numbers of troops and vehicles.

Kyiv remains defiant in the midst of the tensions, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared February 16 a “day of unity” and has called on its citizens to raise the flags and wear blue and yellow ribbons to demonstrate the country’s “unity to the whole world.”

With the news of troops returning to bases, the US and its allies have said they need proof of troop movements, while still warning of the possibility of an invasion taking place. US President Joe Biden said that Washington has not verified the withdrawal of Russian troops, their analysts have indicated that there is still a threat present.