IGOETI, Georgia (AP) — Russia and Georgia today exchanged prisoners captured during their brief war, a move that may reduce tensions and, Georgia hopes, hasten the promised withdrawal of Russian troops.

Georgian Security Council head Alexander Lomaia said the swap, which initially had been planned for Monday, removes any pretext for Russians to hold positions in Igoeti. The village is the closest that Russian forces have advanced to the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, about 30 miles away.

A Russian defense official indicated today that a complete withdrawal from Georgia proper was not imminent.

“Rear units, as well as second- and third-echelon units are being pulled back first. The vanguard units will be pulled back at the final stage,” Col. Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman for Russia’s land forces, was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.