More than 1,000 Syrian and Russian mercenaries deployed by the Kremlin in Libya have been moved from the north African country, western and Libyan officials said, in one of the first signs that the invasion of Ukraine is straining Moscow’s foreign deployments.

About 200 Russian mercenaries from the Kremlin-backed private military force Wagner Group, and about 1,000 Syrians whom Russia had deployed alongside them in Libya, have been pulled out in recent weeks, two western officials said. Three others confirmed the reduction.

About 5,000 mercenaries remain in the country on Moscow’s behalf, a regional official with knowledge of the deployment said. A senior Libyan official confirmed Russia had withdrawn mercenaries from his country, but provided no figures.