DHAKA: Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered thousands of troops stationed near the Ukrainian border to return to their bases, reports BBC.

Putin's spokesman said about 17,600 soldiers on training exercises in the Rostov region would be pulled back.

Russia has previously announced troop withdrawals that Nato and the US say were not actually carried out.

Russia has been accused of supplying troops and weapons to separatist rebels in east Ukraine - claims it denies.

The latest order comes ahead of a planned meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Friday.

Ukrainian troops have been fighting pro-Russia rebels in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk since April, in a conflict that has killed more than 3,500 people.

The two sides agreed a truce on 5 September, but fighting has continued, especially in and around Donetsk.

BDST: 1026 HRS, OCT 12, 2014