Russia’s state-run news agencies said in a statement quoting the ministry that the withdrawal was completed at 5 a.m. Friday and that there were no military units left.
The areas from which the Russian army has withdrawn include the city of Kherson. It is the only regional capital that Moscow occupied during its attacks on Ukraine.
However, Russia remained on the defensive on Friday and insisted that the withdrawal was in no way going to create an uncomfortable situation for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Moscow still viewed the Kherson region as part of Russia. He said the Kremlin has no regrets for celebrating the illegal occupation of Kherson and three other Ukrainian territories about a month ago.
Shortly before the announcement of the withdrawal of Russian troops, the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the situation in the Kherson region “difficult”.
Russia is reported to have opened fire on some of the villages and towns that Ukrainian troops have regained control over the past few weeks during their operations in the Kherson region.
AP Vaibhav Pawanesh
Pawanesh