Russia’s defence minister has ordered tens of thousands of troops recently deployed close to the border with Ukraine to return to their bases in a move likely to ease immediate fears of a conflict and tensions with the west.

Moscow had moved as many as 100,000 troops, alongside tanks, military aircraft and naval ships, to its border with Ukraine over recent weeks, according to Kyiv, sparking fears of a potential invasion and prompting condemnation from the US and the Nato military alliance. Russia said the troops were conducting exercises and were no threat to anyone.

Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s defence minister, said on Thursday that the exercises had been completed and that the troops should start to leave the region from Friday. All troops would be back in their original bases by May 1, he added.