Publication:  N35 / Review period: January 1 – February 29, 2024 /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

• Training courses for junior commanders were started at the training center of the de facto Ministry of Defense. General staff of the Armed Forces and officers of the de facto Ministry of Defense will take the course which will last one month. The course includes theoretical classes in tactical and special educational disciplines and practical classes in the use of weapons and military equipment in modern combat. One-month courses will held regularly throughout the academic year.
• Under the leadership of Vladimir Savchenko, the de facto Chief of the General Staff of the so-called Armed Forces, personnel of the territorial defense forces underwent joint staff training which was aimed at increasing the quality of the performance of territorial defense tasks in wartime.
• Representatives of the de facto Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Armed Forces underwent fire training. They used firearms, combat vehicles and tanks to start the fire.

Taking Oath

• Recruits from Sokhumi, Gulrifsh, Gudauta and Ochamchire districts took a military oath.

Tskhinvali Region

Military Exercises

• Conscripts of the so-called Armed Forces underwent tactical, firing, military medical and physical training.
• Soldiers of the Special Forces Battalion named after Colonel Zelim Muldarov underwent planned field training at a combat training ground of the de facto Ministry of Defense. The training was conducted gradually for platoons and was aimed at improving the personal training and combat coordination of soldiers.

Internship

• The de facto Ministry of Defense announced internship for those cadets who study in the higher military schools of the Russian Federation.

Theoretical and Practical Lessons

• According to the 2024 professional training plan, officers of the de facto Ministry of Defense have undergone theoretical training in various disciplines. They were given lessons on the legal provision of military service at different times; passed an intelligence training course on the tactics, organization and armament of potential enemy military units and squads; and attended lessons on legal training and logistical support for troops.
• Soldiers of the special purpose battalion of the de facto Ministry of Defense underwent complex training in launching, navigation and tactical use of quadrocopter type unmanned aerial vehicles in a complex manner.
• Officers of the de facto Ministry of Defense underwent mobilization training.

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 is located on the territory of Abkhazia, and the Russian 4th military base - in the Tskhinvali region. Both are part of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation