Russian column heads out of Georgia says witness

VERKHNY ZARAMAG, Russia (Reuters) - About 40 Russian military trucks crossed over the border into Russia from Georgia on Wednesday, a Reuters reporter said.

He said the trucks, crossing from midday between Russia and the rebel pro-Russian region of South Ossetia, were covered in tarpaulin.

A dozen appeared to be heavily laden, others were riding high on their suspension, suggesting they were empty or bore light loads.

There was no sign of Russian armour crossing.

Western states have demanded Russia pull back the troops it deployed inside Georgia during a conflict over the Georgian breakaway province of South Ossetia.

(Reporting by Dmitry Solovyov; Writing by Christian Lowe; Editing by Maria Golovnina and Angus MacSwan)