Publication:  N14 / Review period: October 1-31, 2021 / Author: Ani Zirakashvili

Review of the Russian Military Forces’ Activities in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali 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 took part in various military exercises in October:

• Exercises at the Tsebelda military training ground involved unmanned aerial vehicles. As part of bilateral battalion tactical exercises, anti-aircraft missile units deployed anti-aircraft aviation reserves for the first time. The servicemen destroyed a conventional enemy with the Strela-10 and Osa-AKM anti-aircraft missile systems.
• Logistics specialists carried out exercises at the Gudauta, Tsebelda, and Nagvalou military training grounds. As part of the large-scale command-staff exercises, the specialists performed various tasks to provide a wide support for both military personnel and equipment in the field. The exercises involved 40 units of military equipment, including the T-72B3 tanks and the BTR-82A armoured vehicles.

Joint Exercises

• International exercises started at the Tsebelda military training ground. The exercises involve over 500 military servicemen from Abkhazia, the Tskhinvali region and the Russian Federation. Particular attention was paid to the training of reserve soldiers. Various military equipment were also presented during the exercise.

“International” Exercise at the Tsebelda Military Training Ground. Source: sputnik-abkhazia.ru

Fight Against COVID-19

• A multi-disciplinary mobile hospital sent by the Russian Ministry of Defense continues to treat patients infected with the coronavirus. At this stage, 98 people undergo inpatient treatment. As of October 29, the field hospital discharged 343 patients from the outpatient clinic and provided consulting services to 1,300 people. The hospital performed up to 8,000 different types of examinations, including over 3,000 PCR tests. According to the latest data, 31,338 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection were reported in Abkhazia.

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 October:

• A special commission checked the level of military servicemen’s joint response on a drill alarm. Military servicemen completed various standards, including the receipt of standard weapons and equipment, withdrawal of combat and motor equipment, etc.
• Military personnel of the 4th military base tested their ability to conduct reconnaissance in mountains. They completed various tasks using unmanned aerial vehicles and the Strelets intelligence and communication complexes.

Personnel of the 4th Military Base During a Drill. Source: Web-page of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Fight Against COVID-19

• Doctors are taking measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection and seasonal illnesses at the 4th military base. The medical specialists revaccinate and constantly monitor the personnel of the base. RCB (radiation, chemical, biological) protection specialists treat working and residential buildings, as well as military equipment and transport with a special disinfectant solution. According to the latest data, 8,779 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection were reported in the Tskhinvali region.

Other Events

• Military personnel of the de facto Ministry of Defense undergo medical examination. Servicemen who are diagnosed with serious illnesses are sent to military hospitals and sanatoriums of the Russian Ministry of Defense. Examination is underway following to an order of the “Minister” of Defense, Ibrahim Gaseev, and will last until November 30.
• The organization of garrison service check is underway at the 4th military base. A special commission checks the level of preparedness of the military base to act in various crisis situations. In total, over 50 military bases of the Southern Military District and more than 20 thousand military servicemen will be inspected.
• On October 21, the State Duma of the Russian Federation ratified an agreement with the Tskhinvali region. The agreement provides for the mutual recognition of the military service seniority as a result of which both contracted and retired servicemen will receive salary and pension supplements.

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.