Publication: N23 / Review period: July 1-31, 2022 /Author: Ani Zirakashvili
Review of the Activities of the Russian Military Forces 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.
*Note: The review does not include information about military personnel of the 4th and the 7th military bases and volunteers from Abkhazia or the Tskhinvali region who are participating in the Russian-Ukrainian war.
** Note: The Russian Federation dispatched a major part of military personnel of the 4th and 7th military bases to the Donbas region to fight against Ukraine. Therefore, the number of military exercises in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region has been significantly reduced.
Russian Military Forces in Abkhazia
- On July 7, the “President” Aslan Bzhania convened a joint meeting of representatives of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and heads of the de facto Ministry of Defense of Abkhazia. The parties discussed the implementation of the “Agreement between Abkhazia and Russia on a joint Russian military base on the territory of Abkhazia.” The meeting was attended by the Secretary of the Security “Council,” Sergey Shamba, the “Minister” of Defense, Vladimir Anua, his first deputy Beslan Tsvizhba and the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Naval Forces of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. Bzhania emphasized the importance of cooperation in the field of security and noted that, taking into account the current developments in the world, “military cooperation with Russia is becoming even more urgent.”
- On July 25, the 104th anniversary of the establishment of the 7th military base was celebrated. Veterans and active servicemen were presented awards and valuable gifts. An exhibition of military equipment and weapons was also held.
Aslan Bzhania Meets with a Representative of the Russian Ministry of Defense. Source: abkhazinform.com
Russian Military Forces in the Tskhinvali Region
Military Exercises
- On July 31, anti-terrorist training was conducted for military personnel of the 4th military base. As part of the training, conditional terrorists tried to sneak into the territory of the military unit and seize secret documents, however, the military successfully repelled their attack. More than 50 military personnel and up to ten units of combat equipment were involved in the training.
Other Events
- Astemr Tskhurbati, a serviceman of the 4th military base, who is currently fighting on the Russian side in Donbas, was awarded the Zhukov medal for his outstanding courage.
- Peacekeepers’ Day was marked on July 14. The solemn event was attended by the “President”" Alan Gagloyev, the Russian “Ambassador,” Marat Kulakhmetov, representatives of the de facto government and others.
- The Ministry of Defense of Russia transferred military-engineering equipment and a technical service point to the de facto Ministry of Defense of the region. The event was attended by Alan Gagloyev, Marat Kulakhmetov and others. The guests of honor cut a symbolic red ribbon. “We all remember how Russia supported South Ossetia at the most difficult moment. We appreciate the contribution and help that we see and feel even today,” Gagloyev said.
- On August 4, tankmen will leave for Moscow to participate in the Tank Biathlon competition which is one of the competitions of the VIII International Army Games. Tankmen from the region are participating in the competition for the third time.
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.