A battalion of Russian military police which had been deployed in Syria has returned to Russia.

Two Russian air force planes were greeted by local residents and officials as well as relatives.

In Syria the battalion was tasked with securing implementation of the ceasefire agreement in the country, as well as providing security for local residents and humanitarian convoys, according to Russia's defense ministry.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered "a significant part" of Moscow's military contingent to start withdrawing from Syria on Monday (December 11), declaring their work largely done.

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