Report: Some Russian troops leaving South Ossetia
Some Russian troops are withdrawing from the separatist-held Georgian region of South Ossetia, according to reports from the Itar-Tass news agency.
The state-controlled news agency quoted an unidentified Russian Defence Ministry official as saying non-essential Russian military units were departing.
It was not clear how many troops or vehicles were involved.
Irina Gagloyeva, a spokesman for the South Ossetian defence ministry, could not confirm reports of the partial withdrawal.
But she said South Ossetian police were replacing Russian peacekeepers in the Ossetian capital, Tskhinvali.
Hundreds of Russian tanks and thousands of soldiers poured into South Ossetia from Russia last week to repel a Georgian offensive, leading to full-scale combat.
A Russian army general confirmed some Russian troops were withdrawing from the region.
Major General Vyachislav Borisov said the “planned withdrawal” signed by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was under way. He would not elaborate.
Later a Russian Defense Ministry spokesman denied reports that troops were pulling out.
The spokesman, who was not named, said a withdrawal was “being considered” but had not begun.
