Russian airborne troops prepare to board an IL-76 transport aircraft during an exercise in the port of Taganrog on the Sea of Azov. (April 22, 2021)
Ukraine’s president said Thursday (April 22) that Russia’s reduced troop presence near Ukraine is easing tensions between the two neighbors, but he cautioned that Ukraine must remain vigilant.
Russia’s earlier order for tens of thousands of troops to return to their posts followed large-scale drills that have heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
“The reduction of troops at our borders has slowed tensions somewhat,” Ukrainian President Zelensky tweeted. “Ukraine is ever vigilant but welcomes any steps to reduce military presence in the Donbas and ease tensions.”
Ukrainian servicemen near the line of separation from pro-Russian separatist forces in the Donbass. (April 21, 2021)
The Donbass is located in southeastern Ukraine, and the two countries have been clashing in the area since 2014. In that year, Russia occupied Crimea and began supporting separatists in the Donbass.
The U.S. and NATO have said Russia’s troop surge is the largest since Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
Russian Defense Minister Shoigu ordered the troop reduction after announcing the end of drills in Crimea and western Russia.
“The troops demonstrated the ability to defend the country and I decided to complete the exercises in the southern and western military zones,” Shoigu said.
While Shoigu ordered troops to return to their headquarters bases by May 1, he said they should leave their weaponry near the border in western Russia in case more exercises are held later this year.
The Russian troop surge comes amid an increase in cease-fire violations in eastern Ukraine, which has increased Western concern. The West has called on Russia to withdraw its troops.
Russia, in turn, has criticized NATO for deploying troops near Russia’s borders.
The Kremlin has begun to increase the number of military exercises as relations between the West and Russia deteriorate to a post-Cold War low due to Russia’s annexation of Crimea, interference in foreign elections, cyber attacks around the world and other issues.
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