The decision came amidst peace talks aimed at resolving the conflict in Syria.

Russian forces started arriving back in the country yesterday, Tuesday, March 15, 2016  after President Vladimir Putin announced on  Monday that Russia  was to withdraw some of its forces  that have been fighting in Syria since  September 2015. He announced the decision during a meeting with his defence and foreign ministers.

Citing the Russian Defence Ministry video, BBC reported the first group of aircraft taking off from Hmeimim air base in Syria yesterday morning and hours later, Russian TV showed planes arriving in the southern Russian city of Voronezh, where they were greeted on the tarmac by priests and crowds waving balloons. Su-24 tactical bombers, Su-25 attack fighters, Su-34 strike fighters and helicopters were returning home, BBC  cited the TV as saying.

The Deputy Defence Minister Nikolay Pankov said it was too early to speak of defeating terrorism, after a campaign that has bolstered Syria's government. He is quoted as saying that "Certain positive results have been achieved... However, it is too early to talk about victory over terrorism. A Russian air group has the task of continuing to strike terrorist facilities.” The Kremlin chief-of-staff Sergey Ivanov reportedly said Russia would keep its advanced S-400 surface-to-air missile system in place.

"We are leaving completely reliable cover for the remaining contingent... To effectively ensure security, including from the air, we need the most modern air defence systems.” Another senior official, Upper House Defence Committee head, Viktor Ozerov, said as many as two battalions - some 800 servicemen - could remain in Syria after the withdrawal to guard Hmeimim and the naval base at Tartous, Interfax news agency reportedly cited him as saying.

The UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura, who is mediating current Syrian peace talks, welcomed the Russian decision. "The announcement by President Putin on the very day of the beginning of this round of Intra-Syrian Talks in Geneva is a significant development, which we hope will have a positive impact on the progress of the negotiations," BBC quoted.

Russia is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and his office has reportedly sought to reject speculation there was a rift between the two countries, saying the move was mutually agreed. Russian is said to have intervened in Syria to stabilise the Syrian government and create conditions for "a political compromise" that would end the five-year conflict.