Publication:  N11 / Review period: July 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 July:

• Communication specialists carried out exercises at the Tsebelda military training ground. The servicemen completed over 50 types of standards and more than 15 tasks, including providing uninterrupted connection at a distance of 300 km, deployed communication networks, transmitted information, etc. The exercises involved over 300 military servicemen and up to 40 units of special combat equipment.
• A reconnaissance unit carried out exercises at the Tsebelda military training ground. The servicemen performed shooting from the BTR-82AM armored personnel carriers, the AK-74 machine guns, and other types of weapons. More than 400 combat servicemen and 60 units of combat equipment were involved in the exercise.
• As part of exercises, a reconnaissance unit of the 7th military base, used the Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles to search and eliminate a conditional enemy. The exercise involved up to 300 soldiers.

• An on-duty squad destroyed illegal armed formations of a conventional enemy, which planned to attack military infrastructure facilities, as well as to mine and explode material and technical warehouses. Over 500 servicemen, including deminers, and up to 70 units of different types of combat equipment were involved in the exercise.

• Artillery units carried out combat shootings and destroyed targets located at a distance of 700 to 1000 meters. The personnel also performed  fire-fighting maneuvers and fortification measures for firing positions. Over 1,500 military personnel and more than 300 units of weapons and ammunition were involved in the exercise.

On-Duty Squad Carries Out Exercises at the 7th Military Base. Source:  Web-Page of the Russian Ministry of Defense

Conscripts

• On July 1, the vaccination of conscripts of the 2021 spring call-up started with the Sputnik V Russian vaccine against the coronavirus. The conscripts got the second dose on July 21, after which they received special certificates confirming the vaccination.
• Psychologists actively worked with the recruits using a special program aimed at developing self-confidence of military personnel during group operations, improving communication and self-control skills, developing the ability to promptly make decisions in non-standard situations, etc.
• Units of motorized infantry, which accepted conscripts of the 2021 spring call-up, began combat coordination. The servicemen performed marches, as well as developed tactical maneuvers and features of defensive warfare. Up to 1,500 servicemen from different units and over 300 units of combat equipment are involved in the combat coordination.

Other Events

• About 500 conscripts of the 2020 spring call-up were transferred to the reserve. They left the 7th military base and returned to their permanent residences. Soldiers received cash allowances and their train tickets were reimbursed.
• On July 7, revaccination began for those who were vaccinated with Sputnik V before January 1, 2021. Russian servicemen of the 7th military base, their family members, and civilian personnel are being vaccinated with the Russian vaccine.
• At the 7th military base, military dog handlers started to train service-guard and mine-search dogs in service commands, overcoming obstacles, detecting explosives, etc. After the training completion the dogs will be transferred to checkpoints to guard military facilities.
• Russia will send a multidisciplinary mobile hospital with 150 beds to Abkhazia in the near future. The decision was made based on the growing statistics of the coronavirus infection in Abkhazia. As of July 31, additional 172 confirmed cases of the coronavirus were reported, and the total number amounts to 22,083 cases.
• The 103rd anniversary of the establishment of the 7th military base was marked on July 24. The event was attended by the “President,” Aslan Bzhania, the “Ambassador” of Russia, Aleksey Dvinianin, representatives of the “Ministry of Defense,” clerics, and others. The base operates on the basis of the bilateral agreement between Russia and Abkhazia, signed on February 17, 2010. The agreement was signed by Dmitry Medvedev and Sergey Bagapsh.

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 July:

• Motorized infantry destroyed a conventional opponent at the Dzartsemi military training ground. The exercise involved over 400 servicemen, including artillerymen and tankmen. More than 60 units of weapons and combat equipment were used during the exercise.

Conscripts

• On July 8, about 200 conscripts joined the 4th military base. In total, the base expects up to 350 recruits of the 2021 spring call-up.
• On July 11, over 200 conscripts took the military oath. The solemn event was held in strict compliance with sanitary and anti-epidemic measures.

Conscripts of the 2021 Spring Call-up Take the Military Oath at the 4th Military Base. Source:  Web-page of the Russian Ministry of Défense.

Other Events

• The number of contract servicemen increased by 20% at the 4th military base. The most demanded specialties are: driver (categories C, D, E), mechanic-driver, and communication and reconnaissance service. Key requirements included a complete secondary education, an interest in military service, a high level of physical fitness, and a positive psychological test result.
• The 29th anniversary of the start of “peacekeeping” operation was marked on July 14. As part of the event the Defenders to the Fatherland memorial complex was decorated with flowers. The de facto President, Anatoly Bibilov, the Russian “Ambassador”, Marat Kulakhmetov, and others attended the event. “Peacekeeping” was launched under the Dagomys (Sochi) Agreement on July 14, 1992 and ended in August, 2008. The agreement provided for the deployment of a joint control mission (Russian, Georgian and Ossetian peacekeepers) in the region.
• The Special Task Unit of the Ministry of Defense is preparing for the 7th International Army Games (Army 2021). In total, the unit will participate in three competitions. The Army-2021 will start on August 22 and last until September 4.

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.