Russia is starting to withdraw forces from Syria and its aircraft carrier group will be the first to leave, the Russian armed forces chief says.

“The Russian defence ministry is beginning to reduce its armed forces deployment in Syria,” said Gen Valery Gerasimov. A ceasefire in Syria is largely holding, the UN says.

Russian bombers have carried out heavy air strikes on anti-government rebels.

The Russian naval flotilla is led by the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov.

Source: bbc.com