BRUSSELS, Rajab 29, 1435, May 28, 2014, SPA -- Russia has withdrawn thousands of troops from near the Ukraine border, but tens of thousands remain, a NATO military officer said on Wednesday, according to Reuters. "A number of (Russian) units have now withdrawn from the border. The activity we are observing continues to suggest a slow withdrawal of forces," the officer said. "At present, much of the previously deployed Russian force remains in the vicinity of the border and continues to be capable of operations at short notice. Thousands of troops have withdrawn, but tens of thousands remain," he said. NATO has previously estimated that Russia had around 40,000 soldiers close to the Ukraine border. --SPA 13:01 LOCAL TIME 10:01 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w