Monthly Review

Review of the Activities of the Russian Military Forces in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region

2023 / 11 / 03

Publication:  N33 / Review period: September 1 - October 31, 2023 /Author: Elene Mindiashvili 

Review of the Activities of the Russian Military Forces in Abkhazia and the Tkshinvali Region is being prepared within the framework of the project - Roadmap to the Kremlin's Policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. The purpose of the publication is to review trainings of the military forces of the Russian Federation deployed in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, as well as other important events related to the Russian 7th and 4th military bases in these regions. The review is a monthly publication and will be useful for everyone – decision-makers, public employees, media representatives and other people who are interested in the Kremlin policy in the occupied regions of Georgia.

*Note: The review does not include information about military personnel of the 4th and 7th military bases and volunteers from Abkhazia or the Tskhinvali region who are fighting in the Russian war against Ukraine.

** Note: A major part of military personnel of the 4th and 7th military bases are dispatched to fight against Ukraine. Therefore, the number of military exercises in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region has been significantly reduced; however, against this backdrop, the Armed Forces of the occupied regions are relatively active and periodically conduct various exercises. Despite the relatively passive activities of Russian servicemen in the occupied regions, we will review the activities of the Armed Forces of the de facto republics.  

Abkhazia

Military Exercises

  • As part of exercises, soldiers of anti-aircraft missile units of the 7th military base of the Southern Military District, destroyed reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles of a conditional adversary using air defense systems such as the Orlan, Zastava and Granat Russian-made flying machines. 
  • Servicemen of a motorized rifle unit of the 7th military base practiced in discovering and destroying a conditional enemy camp. The servicemen used the Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicle, BTR-82A armored personnel carrier, standard firearms and grenade launchers.
  • Communication specialists of the Southern Military District carried out exercises at the Tsebelda military training ground. The exercise was aimed at establishing a stable connection between control points through open and closed channels and using modern special equipment to capture a wide range of frequencies. 
  • An intelligence unit of the Southern Military District carried out exercises on the territory of Abkhazia. They destroyed a conditional illegal armed formation using the Strelets special reconnaissance complex at the Tsebelda military training ground.
  • Tankmen of the 7th military base took part in a joint exercise held at the Maikop military training ground in Adygea. Mechanic-drivers also participated in the training.

Command-Staff Mobilization Exercise 

· On October 23-27, as per the so-called training plan of the Armed Forces for 2023, a command-staff mobilization exercise was held for reserve rifle brigades and military commissariats. The so-called President of the de facto republic, Aslan Bzhania, also attended the training process.

Fall Conscription

  • In Abkhazia, the so-called Prime Minister, Alexander Ankvab, signed a decree on 2023 fall conscription. From October 1, conscription points were organized in Gagra, Gudauta, Sokhumi, Gulripsh, Ochamchire and Tkvarcheli.

Tskhinvali Region

Military Exercises

  • Tankmen of the 58th Combined Arms Army of the Southern Military District practiced fire shooting using night vision devices in field conditions at the Dzartsemi military training ground. During the field exercise, the Т-72B tank crew destroyed conventional enemy's artillery installations at 700 meters distance, and the enemy manpower - at 400-600 meters distance.

Military Exercises of the So-Called Armed Forces

  • Servicemen of a military unit and a rifle brigade underwent scheduled firing training at the training ground of the de facto Ministry of Defense
  • Servicemen of an honor guard company underwent practical training twice at the training ground of the de facto Ministry of Defense. At first, they practiced in conducting a defensive battle and repelling an enemy attack, and later in conducting artillery fire and shooting at a target.
  • Senior officers of the Special Forces Battalion conducted tactical training for recruits.
  • Conscripts of the so-called Armed Forces underwent firing training.
  • As part of the professional training curriculum, officers of the military division of the de facto Ministry of Defense and commanders of combat units took theoretical lessons. The lessons were complex in nature and were aimed at improving the professional skills and knowledge of junior and senior officers.

Opening of an Engineering Equipment Park

  • An engineering equipment park was opened in the de facto Ministry of Defense. The park combines a security post module, checkpoints, an instruction space for drivers, a backup power supply point and a cleaning and washing station for equipment in one space. The park opening ceremony coincided with the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of the de facto republic. The event was attended by the so-called President Alan Gagloyev, the Chairman of the Parliament of North Ossetia, Taimuraz Tuskaev, his “counterpart” from Tskhinvali, Alan Albarov, the Secretary of the so-called Security Council of the de facto republic, Anatoly Pliev, the Chariman of the Board of the National Fund for Support of Social Programs of Russia, Andrei Sergeev, and representatives of the Embassy of the Russian Federation to the de facto republic.

Fall Conscription

  • As per a decree of the so-called Minister of Defense, the Armed Forces of the Tskhinvali region announced the fall conscription for mandatory military service. The conscription applies to all men aged 18-27 on military registration. The conscripts will undergo appropriate medical and psychological examinations, after which, they will be given military uniforms and commence the basic training course.

After the August 2008 war, Russian occupation forces were deployed in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. In 2010, Russia signed agreements with the de facto republics of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region on the deployment of combined Russian military bases on the territories of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region for the next 49 years. The Russian 7th military base locates on the territory of Abkhazia, and the Russian 4th military base - in the Tskhinvali region. Both regions are part of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation.