Russia withdrew its border guards from a land strip disputed between South Ossetia and Georgia

Russia withdrew its border guards from a land strip disputed between South Ossetia and Georgia, Russia's Foreign Ministry's web-site reported on Tuesday.

The border checkpoint has been placed near Perevi village for two years after a brief armed conflict between Georgia and Russia in August 2008. The check point has been moved deeper into South Ossetian territory with no obstruction from Georgian police, the ministry said.

The ministry said that the European Union (EU)'s observation mission has assured Moscow that upon withdrawal of the Russian guards, the land vacated would not be occupied by Georgian forces. The security there will be provided by the EU's mission.

Russian border service guards the borders of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in accordance with the agreements signed between Russia and those two Georgian breakaway regions in April 2009.