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Moscow (AP) - Russia has announced the withdrawal of several military units that have been involved in maneuvers on the Crimea Black Sea peninsula, which Moscow incorporated in 2014.
Amid renewed tension in the Ukraine conflict, the exercises had raised international concern.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said during a visit to Crimea on Thursday, according to the Tass agency, that the soldiers had passed the test of their defense readiness and would return to their permanent stationing locations from Friday.
According to Russian sources, 10,000 soldiers took part in the exercises.
More than 40 warships as well as ground troops, fighter jets and air defense units were involved.
Troop marches on the Russian, but also on the Ukrainian side, had recently triggered fears that the fighting in the conflict area of eastern Ukraine could escalate again.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the relocation of the Russian soldiers.
"The reduction in the number of troops at our border reduces the tension accordingly," wrote Selenskyj on Twitter.
Shoigu announced that units will also be withdrawn from Russia's western border.
How many soldiers there are in total is still unclear.
At the same time, the Russian Defense Minister stated that the military equipment of a troop unit should be brought near Voronezh and stored there for a maneuver in the autumn.
The place is around 170 kilometers as the crow flies from the Ukrainian border.
For almost seven years, parts of the areas in eastern Ukraine along the Russian border have been controlled by separatists loyal to Moscow.
According to UN estimates, more than 13,000 people were killed in the fighting.
A peace plan agreed in 2015 through the mediation of Germany and France is on hold.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210422-99-314459 / 2