Russian 4th Military Base

The direct purpose of the 4th military base placed in Tskhinvali Region is to ensure the security of Tskhinvali Region and uphold Russian interests in South Caucasus. The military base is part of the Russian Federation’s Southern Military District and holds an important role in ensuring Russia’s military-political influence in Caucasus.

The issue of forming the base entered the agenda after the 2008 Russia-Georgia August War. The base was formed on February 1, 2009 on the basis of 693rd Guard and 135th Motorized Rifle Brigades. According to current data there are up to 4,000 military personnel on the 4th military base.

The full name of the base in Russian is the following:  4-я гвардейская Вапнярско-Берлинская Краснознамённая орденов Суворова и Кутузова военная база. Codename – military unit N66431 (M/U 66431). Short name is 4th MB.

The main points of placement of the base in Tskhinvali Region are in Tskhinvali and Java. The base has full military equipment. The armaments of the base have been constantly renewing since its establishment. For example, in 2011, the operative-tactical division of the „Точка-У“ missile complex was placed in Tskhinvali Region. 

Colonel Aleksandr Kvartsov has commanded the base since September 2016. General-Major Alaeksandr Shushukin led the base from February 2009 to October 2013 while Colonel Mikhail Polishuk was in charge from October 2013 to September 2016.

On April 7, 2010, President of the Russian Federation, Dimitri Medvedev and de facto President of Tskhinvali Region, Eduard Kokoiti, signed an agreement in Moscow on joint Russian military bases on the territory of Tskhinvali Region. The agreement went into force on July 7, 2011. On the basis of the agreement, the objects of the former peacekeeping forces as well as the training polygon in Dzartsemi were included in the joint military bases. According to the agreement, the construction of military infrastructure necessary for the full functioning of the military base was planned all over the Tskhinvali Region territory. The Russian side will not have to pay rent for the functioning of the base. The length of the presence of the base was set at 49 years, with the possibility of automatic extension for 15 more years.

From 2012, an Ossetian battalion has been formed within the 4th military base, where the population of Tskhinvali Region can also serve. The work in Ossetian battalion will be on the basis of a contract and it will serve as sort of a military preparation point of cadres for Tskhinvali Region. 

The Ossetian side places special importance in the existence of the base for the security and stability of Tskhinvali Region. Leaders of Tskhinvali Region periodically meet the commanders of the military base, as well as those of the Southern Military District to discuss current issues of interest. Local de facto leaders also often participate in various festive events taking place on the base. In turn, the military base, with its infrastructure and military personnel is also actively involved in celebrating important days for Tskhinvali Region.

Over each year, the 4th military base is constantly involved in both local as well as regional military exercises. For example, on October 1, 2018, Abkhazian military polygons engaged in the largest military exercises conducted by Russia for the past 30 years. According to Dvornikov’s statement, apart from Russia, the exercises also took place in Armenia, Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region, perfecting contemporary forms and means of combat, also using the experience gotten in Syria.

Dvornikov himself periodically conducts surprise checkups of the 4th military base combat readiness. During one of such inspections, more than 500 military personnel and 100 units of combat technologies were mobilized. At the end of the inspection, Dvornikov stated  that “4th military base is a very special division that completes the tasks of defending our homeland’s Southern borders. Today, by my decision, its combat readiness is being tested. The units are working rather well. The results will be summarized at the end of the inspection”.

On December 16, 2011, the 4th military base was awarded the Symbol of Georgievsk and respective certificate from the President of the Russian Federation. The Deputy Commander of the 58th Army, General-Major Andrei Gurulev, also participated in the ceremony.

On November 25, 2018, while talking about the plans of including the Southern Military District units in the 2019 international military exercises, Dvornikov stated that the 4th military base in Tskhinvali Region will continue the practice of joint military exercises with local armed forces.