Publication:  N15 / Review period: November 1-30, 2021 /Author: Ani Zirakashvili

Review of the Activities of the Russian Military Forces 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

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, 95 people are undergoing inpatient treatment at the hospital. As of November 29, the field hospital discharged 1,058 patients from the outpatient clinic and provided consultancy to up to 2,000 people. Up to 11,000 different clinical studies, including more than 4,000 PCR tests, were performed at the hospital. According to the latest data, 34,600 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection were reported in Abkhazia.

Other Events

• The Clean Coast campaign took place at the 7th military base. Military personnel cleaned 54 thousand sq. m. area of the Black Sea coast from garbage. The event is held twice a year – in early June and October. Military personnel of the Southern Military District and their families participate in the event.
• Sappers of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation carried out demining works on the territory of the Ardzinba Sokhumi Airport. Among the UXOs which the sappers found were anti-tank mines, artillery shells, mortar mines, etc. Most of them were destroyed on the spot. A total of 14 military personnel are involved in the demining works.

Demining Works at the 7th Military Base. Source: Web-page of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Russian Military Forces in the Tskhinvali Region

Fight Against COVID-19

• Doctors are trying to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection at the 4th military base. Military servicemen are being revaccinated, personnel are constantly monitored by medical specialists, and RCB (radiation, chemical, biological) protection specialists treat office and residential buildings with a special disinfectant solution. According to the latest data, 9,850 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection were reported in the Tskhinvali region.

Other Events

• On November 10, the Federation Council of the Russian Federation ratified an agreement with the Tskhinvali region. The agreement which concerns the mutual recognition of the seniority of military service was signed on January 10, 2021. It provides for salary and pension supplements to both servicemen contracted and retired only if they are “citizens” of Russia or the Tskhinvali region during the specified period. On November 25, the implementation of the agreement was discussed online. At this stage, work is underway to coordinate mutual interests, positions and actions.
• On November 16, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation sent military equipment to the Tskhinvali region. The region received the equipment under an agreement with Russia. On November 25, another consignment of military equipment arrived in the region from Russia. According to the de facto Ministry of Defense, the equipment will be used exclusively for peaceful purposes.

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