Publication:  N9 / Review period: May 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 May:

• Artillerymen carried out exercises at the Nagvalou military training ground. They destroyed unmanned aerial vehicles (Orlan, Zastava, Granat) of a conditional enemy. The exercises involved about 200 artillerymen and more than 20 units of combat equipment.
• As part of a special tactical exercise, up to 100 military servicemen repulsed an attack of a group of conditional saboteurs. Sappers also took part in the exercise which involved over ten combat equipment, including the Tiger vehicles.
• Drivers of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation completed a special training program at the 7th military base. Military personnel learn to drive different types of armored equipment in extreme situations and difficult terrain conditions, as well as how to maneuver on an expressway. During the exercise, military servicemen used the BTR-82A armored personnel carriers and the KamAZ Mustang armored trucks.
• Motorized infantry carried out exercises at the Tsebelda and Nagvalou military training grounds. Crews of the Mi-8AMTSH Terminator helicopters also took part in the exercises. In total, over 1,000 military personnel participated in the exercise.
• An educational and methodological training started at the military base. The training involves commanders of separate subunits. Commanders demonstrate combat shooting skills, destroy underground communications of a conditional enemy, as well as improve driving skills of armored vehicles. The training involves 40 units of combat and special equipment.

Motorized Infantry Unit and the Mi-8AMTSH Terminator Helicopter Crews Carry Out Exercises. Source: structure.mil.ru

Conscripts

• Operators of the Оsа-АКМ anti-aircraft missile systems joined the 7th military base. These conscripts completed a three-month training course at the Air Défense Training Centre in the Krasnodar region, Russia. The graduates will undergo special questioning and testing to check their psychological and psychophysical fitness.
• Every fourth conscript expressed a desire to undergo contract military service, which exceeds by 15% the number of the same period last year. Initially, contract soldiers will be accommodated in a dormitory, and after three years of contract service, they will receive an apartment in any region of Russia. Arrangements for the transfer to the reserve will last until June this year. As planned, a total of up to 500 conscripts of the spring call-up will join the 7th military base.
• An intensive individual training course for conscripts started on May 26. They will study the theoretical foundations of tactics and combat operations, technical characteristics of weapons and combat equipment, as well as complete a variety of standards. The course will last a month at the Tsebelda and Nagvalou military training grounds.

Training Infrastructure

• As part of the preparations for summer exercises, deminers cleared the Tsebelda and Nagvalou military training grounds from explosive devices. Various modern means, including the Korshun and IMPS mine detectors, were used for demining.
• Special equipment and weapons were prepared for the summer season operation. Over 30 specialized maintenance posts were set up for technical inspection and service at the Tsebelda and Nagvalou military training grounds. Over 1000 military servicemen were involved in the works which lasted till May 21. A special commission will check the quality of the work done.
• Floating targets are being prepared at the 7th military base. As planned, over 1000 different types and sizes of targets will be prepared. The works are part of the preparation for the summer season operation and involve up to 1000 military servicemen and 60 units of special and combat equipment.

Summarizing of the Winter Period

• Over 1,000 firepower training sessions were held at the military training grounds in Gudauta, Nagvalou and Tsebelda (Abkhazia), as well as in Maykop and Molkino (Adygea, Russia). Ground and sea targets were destroyed during the training sessions.
• More than 200 tactical exercises were dedicated to the combat coordination of units.
• The main efforts were aimed at using unmanned aerial vehicles, improving the use of modern weapons and combat equipment.
• Drivers of combat vehicles covered over 60 thousand km on roads.
• In total, military personnel used more than one million different types of ammunition, and over a hundred tons of fuel and lubricants.

Other Events

• Easter was celebrated at the Tsebelda and Nagvalou military training grounds. Military servicemen and Yunarmiya cadets participated in the event and prepared holiday cards and drawings.

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 May:

• Mobile demining groups started special trainings at the 4th military base. Military personnel will study the characteristics of demining equipment, mine detection and marking, destruction of ammunition and explosives, etc. More than 150 military servicemen and 40 units of special equipment are involved in the exercise.
• Reconnaissance units of the 4th military base carried out exercises. Servicemen repulsed an attack of subversive reconnaissance groups of a conditional enemy, evacuated the “wounded” and conducted radiation and chemical reconnaissance.
• Communication specialists participated in a largescale exercise, as part of which they completed tasks of electronic data exchange, covertly transferred equipment, held a closed video conference, etc. More than 1,500 communication specialists and up to 600 units of equipment were involved in the exercise.

Military-Political Cooperation

• A joint agreement between the Russian Federation and the Tskhinvali region entered into force on May 19. The agreement provides for mutual recognition of the disabled status of discharged military personnel. The agreement was signed on March 17, 2020. It concerns employees of the de facto Ministries of Interior and Defense.

Marat Kulakhmetov (Russian “Ambassador”) and Dmitry Medoev (“Minister” of Foreign Affairs) Exchanging Letters of Ratification. Source: sputnik-ossetia.ru

Summarizing the Winter Period

• During the winter period, flight time of unmanned aerial vehicles at the 4th military base exceeded 3,000 hours. Various units actively used drones (mainly quadcopter type) to specify coordinates of a target during combat firing operations.

Other Events

• As of May 18, more than 90% of servicemen of the 4th military base have already been vaccinated with the Sputnik V Russian vaccine against the coronavirus. Reportedly, there were no complications during the immunization process. The vaccination was voluntary and was done with written consent.
• On May 21, the Memorial Complex to the Defenders of the Fatherland was opened in Tskhinvali. The complex was constructed under the Russian investment program, which is aimed at promoting the socio-economic development of the region. The ceremony was attended by the “President”, Anatoly Bibilov, the Russian “Ambassador”, Marat Kulakhmetov, military servicemen of the 4th military base and others.

Events Dedicated to Victory Day

Every year, on May 9, Russia and several post-Soviet countries celebrate the victory in in the Great Patriotic War. This year marks the 76th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. On this day, several thematic events were held in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region:

Abkhazia

• On May 3, over 500 military personnel visited 15 historic sites of Abkhazia.
• On May 4, military servicemen laid flowers at the memorial complex to the Soldiers Who Died during the Great Patriotic War.
• On May 9, the Immortal Regiment march was held in Sokhumi. The Rossotrudnichestvo office in Abkhazia was one of the organizers of the event. Over 40 people took part in the procession, including the “President,” Aslan Bzhania,  the Russian “Ambassador,” Aleksey Dvinianin, and the Head of the Rossotrudnichestvo office, Vadim Chekha.
• A total of 607 military personnel of the 7th military base and the de facto Ministry of Defense participated in a parade dedicated to Victory Day.
• The Coordinating Council of Organizations of Russian Compatriots (CCORC) handed over personal gifts, products and flowers to war veterans. As part of the event, a thematic photo exhibition was also held.

Parade in Sokhumi Dedicated to the 76th Anniversary of Victory Day. Source: sputnik-abkhazia.ru

Tskhinvali Region

• On May 8, the Eternal Flame was decorated with flowers. The “President” Anatoly Bibilov, representatives of the Russian “Embassy,” war veterans, and other attended the event.
• On May 8, the Soldier’s Halt action was also held with the participation of up to 100 people. The participants were treated to soldiers’ traditional field rations
• On May 9, a parade dedicated to Victory Day was held with the participation of military personnel of the 4th military base and de facto law enforcement agencies, as well as students of the Cadet School. Anatoly Bibilov addressed the audience.
• The Immortal Regiment processing was also held on May 9. During the event photos of war participants were presented. Anatoly Bibilov, the “Prime Minister,” Gennady Bekoev, the Russian “Ambassador”, Marat Kulakhmetov, and others attended the event.

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.