MOSCOW (AP) — Pro- Russian insurgents fighting Ukrainian government forces faced public dismay and a new challenge from the country’s richest man today, while Russia’s Defense Ministry said its units have started dismantling their camps in the border regions.
A day after President Vladimir Putin issued a pullout order in an apparent bid to ease tensions with the West over Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said that its forces in the Bryansk, Belgorod and Rostov regions were preparing for a journey to their home bases.
NATO, which estimates that Russia has 40,000 troops along the border with Ukraine, said it is watching the situation closely, but could not yet confirm a change. NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu challenged the Russians today “to prove that they are doing what they are saying.”
The Russian Defense Ministry said it would take time for troops to dismantle their camps and load equipment on trucks for a march to railway stations. It didn’t say how many troops were being pulled out from the three regions or how long it would take.
Putin’s order made it clear that he has no immediate intention of sending the Russian army into eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian insurgents have seized government buildings and clashed with Ukrainian government forces in weeks of fighting that has left dozens dead.
Today, the rebels continued to exchange fire with government forces on the outskirts of the eastern city of Slovyansk, which has been the epicenter of clashes.
Yekaterina Len, a 61-year old resident of the city whose house was hit by a mortar shell that appeared to be fired by government troops, and other residents of Slovyansk sounded exasperated and angry with both the warring sides. Some said that many houses were hit when rebels moved around the area, shooting at government troops and drawing retaliatory fire.
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