Publication: N24 / Review period: August 1-31, 2022 /Author: Elene Mindiashvili
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 fighting in the Russian war against Ukraine.
** Note: The Russian Federation dispatched a major part of military personnel of the 4th and the 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
Military Exercises
- An exercise was held at a Russian military base with the participation of counter-terrorist units.
- Sapper units held exercises at the Tsebelda military training ground. As part of the exercise servicemen trained in the specifics of clearing explosive substances, terrain and objects, installation of engineering barriers, equipping the positions of tank and artillery units.
Other Events
- On August 10, the “Ambassador” of the Russian Federation to Abkhazia, Mikhail Shurgalin, met with the de facto Defense Minister of Abkhazia, Vladimir Anua. At the meeting, the parties discussed the future prospects of cooperation.
- On August 11, military personnel of the de facto Ministry of Defense of Abkhazia took part in the Sniper Line competition.
Sniper Line Competition. Source: apsnypress.info
- On August 19-21, the Army-2022 military-technical forum took place in Sokhumi. Within the framework of the international forum, about 250 units of military equipment were exhibited in the specially prepared exhibition space, including BTR-82AM armored personnel carrier, anti-aircraft missile systems, multiple rocket launchers, armored vehicles, cannons, communication stations, anti-tank missile complexes and other types of weapons.
- On August 24, Abkhaz cadets, who will continue their studies in various universities operating under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, took a military oath.
Russian Military Forces in the Tskhinvali Region
Other Events
- Tankmen from the Tskhinvali region took part in the Tank Biathlon international army game which was held in Moscow on August 13-27. The game has been held for several years at the Alabino military training ground of the Russian Defense Ministry which locates near Moscow. Tank Biathlon consists of a three-stage competition. The task of participating tank crews is to cover the specified distance as quickly as possible and accurately identify, target, repel/destroy the target object. In the first stage of the competition, the crew of the de facto South Ossetia took the first place, but in the second stage they were withdrawn from the competition due to a technical failure.
- The de facto leader of the Tskhinvali region, Alan Gagloyev, appointed Russian officer Marat Pavlov to the post of “Minister of Defense.”
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.