Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov has confirmed that the order of President Dmitry Medvedev, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to withdraw troops back to positions in South Ossetia will be completed Friday, Itar-Tass reported. “During the day, the pullout of all the units from the territory of Georgia will be completed,” Serdyukov said Thursday. He specified that the units will begin an organized pullout at 06:00 hours Moscow Daylight Saving Time /02:00 hours GMT/ from Georgia's territory to South Ossetia. “Only Russian peacekeeping units will remain at specially equipped security check-posts within the limits of security zones established in line with coordinated security principles, which Russia strictly abides by,” Serdyukov said.
