CHAN:
After a ceasefire deal organized by France on behalf of the European Union, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has withdrawn troops from buffer zones in Geogria. The zones were created outside south Ossetia and Abkhazia, regions that have declared independence from Georgia. Here's more on the story.

STORY:
Russian troops dismantled their roadside checkpoint in the Georgian village of Karaleti. The withdrawal of Russian forces from the so-called buffer zone next to Georgia's breakaway province of South Ossetia follows a French-brokered ceasefire deal.

A similar pullback from the buffer zone adjoining the rebel province of Abkhazia is also due to take place ahead of Friday's deadline. The retreat was closely watched by European Union monitors.

[Heikki Lehtonen, EU Military Officer]:
"Today our task is to observe, to monitor the withdrawal of Russian checkpoints and observation posts. Our plan is to observe all these checkpoints and observation posts that Russian armed forces have stated will be withdrawn."

These soldiers aren't leaving Georgia, however - Moscow is refusing to leave South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Russia has since recognized the two rebel provinces as independent states in a move that's badly damaged its relations with the West.

Tensions remain high in the region following the five-day war in August. But for these Georgian refugees at least, the Russian pullback means they can at last return home.