Publication: N7 / Review period: March 1-31, 2021 / Author: Ani Zirakashvili

Review of the Russian Military Forces’ Activities 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 activities of the Russian military forces in the occupied regions of Georgia.

Russian Military Forces in Abkhazia

Military exercises

Units of the 7th military base of the Russian Federation in Abkhazia participated in various military exercises in March:

• At the Gudauta military training ground, servicewomen completed standards in throwing grenade launchers. Over 50 female soldiers took part in the exercise. About a quarter of them participated in a similar exercise for the first time.
• Motorized infantry and artillerymen held joint exercises at the Tsebelda military training ground. Servicemen repulsed a conditional enemy attack and practiced offensive warfare operations. Over 1,000 military personnel and more than 200 units of combat equipment were involved in the exercises.
• On a special simulator, a reconnaissance unit practiced shooting from a boat or a ship in motion. The exercise is based on the experience gained in modern armed conflicts and is aimed at preparing military personnel for military operations in mountainous and coastal areas.
• Vehicle repair units evacuated conditionally damaged  equipment at the Tsebelda military training ground. Up to 20 units of special modern equipment were involved in the exercise.

Reconnaissance unit exercises on a special simulator. Source: The Ministry of Defence of Russian Federation

Other events

• Preparations started for the 76th anniversary of the Victory Day (May 9). A joint exercise of Abkhaz and Russian troops was held in Sokhumi. Each soldier participating in the parade was vaccinated with the Sputnik V Russian vaccine against the coronavirus.
• Servicemen started to prepare weapons for operation during the summer. As planned up to 1000 units of equipment will undergo technical service. The service is provided in about 40 specialized points, as well as in the field conditions at the Tsebelda and Nagvalou military training grounds
• Tankmen of the 7th military base took the third place in the qualifying round of the Tank Biathlon. The Tank Biathlon competition is part of the 7th International Army Games (Army-2021).
• Female soldiers were congratulated on International Women’s Day. The ladies were presented with flowers, thank-you letters and valuable gifts. More than 100 female soldiers occupy  various positions at the 7th military base, and the number of female civilian staff exceeds 150.
• Female medics of a multidisciplinary mobile hospital were congratulated on March 8. More than 20 female soldiers received flowers and gifts.

Russian Military Forces in the Tskhinvali Region

Military exercises

Units of the 4th military base of the Russian Federation in the Tskhinvali region took part in various military exercises in March:

• A Reconnaissance unit completed exercises at the Dzartzemi military training ground. The exercises lasted for a month. Exercises were also held at military training grounds in North Ossetia, Chechnya, and Dagestan. In total, the exercises involved more than 2,700 servicemen.
• A reconnaissance unit started exercises at the Dzartsemi military training ground. More than 200 military servicemen and up to 40 units of armaments, combat and special equipment are involved in the exercise.
• Engineers of the 4th military base carried out exercises, during which they used the experience and special tactics gained in Syria. Over 1,500 military personnel and about 300 units of special equipment were involved in the exercise.
• As part of bilateral exercises, a tactical air assault force landed at the military base. The Mi-8AMTSh and Ka-52 Alligator helicopters were involved in the exercises. Since the end of February, a total of 40 bilateral exercises have been held in various locations. Up to 3,000 military and more than 500 units of combat equipment are involved in exercises daily.

Military-Political Cooperation

• On March 3, the Federation Council of the Russian Federation ratified a joint agreement with the Tskhinvali region. The agreement on mutual recognition of the disability status of military servicemen discharged from the de facto Ministries of Defence and Internal Affairs was signed in March 2020. The de facto parliament of the Tskhinvali region also ratified the agreement.

Other Events

• Cooks of the 4th military base took part in the Field Kitchen competition. The competition, which was the second stage of the 7th International Army Games (Army-2021), was held in North Ossetia. A total of eight teams, comprising 50 servicemen, participated in the competition.

Chefs of the 4th military base participating in the Field Kitchen competition. Source: The Ministry of Defence of Russian Federation

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 regions are part of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation.