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Russia begins 'final' Georgia pullback
Wednesday, 8 October, 2008
Russian forces appear to have begun the final stage of a pullback from positions inside Georgia near the breakaway South Ossetia region.
A main Russian checkpoint on a road leading to South Ossetia has been dismantled and bulldozers were razing the post early Wednesday.
Russian troops were sweeping for mines and two bulldozers were levelling the site in Karaleti.
Russia must pull out its troops from areas surrounding South Ossetia and Abkhazia by Friday under Western-backed agreements forged after its August war with Georgia.
The head of Russian peacekeeping troops based in South Ossetia on Tuesday said the withdrawal would begin on Wednesday and be completed within 24 hours.
Source: AAP
