Publication:  N30 / Review period: February 1-28, 2023 /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 Kremlin policy in the occupied regions of Georgia.

*Note: The review does not include information about military personnel of the 4th and 7th military bases and volunteers from Abkhazia or the Tskhinvali region who are fighting in the Russian war against Ukraine.

** Note: A major part of military personnel of the 4th and 7th military bases are dispatched to fight against Ukraine. Therefore, the number of military exercises in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region has been significantly reduced; however, against this backdrop, the Armed Forces of the occupied regions are relatively active and periodically conduct various exercises. Despite the relatively passive activities of Russian servicemen in the occupied regions, we will review the activities of the Armed Forces of the de facto republics.  

Abkhazia

• Artillery, tank and mechanized units underwent special tactical training at the Nagvalou military training ground of the de facto Ministry of Defense. The de facto President, Aslan Bzhania, also attended the training.

Tskhinvali Region

Military Exercises

• Officers of the military administration of the de facto Ministry of Defense were given educational and methodical lessons on the topic - “organization of the work of command posts.” The event was held under the leadsership of officers of the so-called General Staff.
• Servicemen of the Special Forces Battalion carried out exercises at a military training ground of the Armed Forces. The de facto Minister of Defense, Marat Pavlov, also attended the exercise.
• Servicemen of the guard of honor company underwent individual training at a training center of the de facto Ministry of Defense. The training, led by high-ranking officers, was aimed at mastering in the use of regular weapons, military topography and medical assistance. Military personnel of the unit were also given tactical training in mountainous and forested terrain on February 1.  

Photo:  Training of Military Personnel of the Guard of Honor Company. Source: alaniamil.org

• As part of a firing training, T-72 tank crews destroyed conventional enemy tanks at a distance of 4 kilometers and practiced using machine guns and anti-tank grenades.
• The de facto officers of the Ministry of Defense passed a theory exam which tested their knowledge of professional activity guide documents, decision-making and command-giving skills within the scope of authority.
• A military-patriotic educational lesson was conducted for cadets of the Cadet School on the territory of a military city of the de facto Ministry of Defense of the Tskhinvali region. The cadets also visited the “Memorial to the Fallen Defenders of South Ossetia” and the so-called Military Glory Museum.

Photo:  Military-Patriotic Lesson for Cadets. Source:  alaniamil.org

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 locates 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.