Monthly Review

Review of the Activities of the Russian Military Forces in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region

2023 / 09 / 08

Publication:  N33 / Review period: July 1 – August 31, 2023 /Author: Elene Mindiashvili 

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 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

Military Exercises

  • According to the joint combat training plan of the Armed Forces of the de facto Republic of Abkhazia and the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, tactical-special exercises were held in the Gulrifsh, Ochamchire, Tkvarcheli and Gali regions from August 21 to September 1.
  • Servicemen of the reconnaissance unit of the Southern Military District carried out exercises on the territory of Abkhazia. The training was aimed at improving military's skills in eliminating subversive groups. Using Grot-M modern GPS navigator and Strelets intelligence and communication complex, the servicemen jammed enemy's communication signal, determined their possible locations, and destroyed the adversary with the help of armored vehicles and snipers.

Security Conference

  • On August 15, the 11th International Security Conference was organized by the Ministry of Defense of Russia. The conference took place within the framework of the Army 2023 international military-technical forum. Abkhazia's de facto Defense Minister, Vladimir Anu, also participated in the conference.
  • The de facto Vice-President of Abkhazia, Badra Gunba, inspected military infrastructure in the Gali region and the construction of new facilities related to it. The construction of new facilities has intensified after the start of Russia's full-scale military aggression in Ukraine.

International security conference. Source: md.apsny.land 

Tskhinvali Region

Military Exercises

  • Servicemen of the Special Forces battalion of the de facto Ministry of Defense of the Tskhinvali region carried out exercises in the Java region.
  • Snipers of the Armed Forces carried out exercises at the military training ground of the de facto Ministry of Defense. Theoretical-practical training was part of the combat training pland and took place on July 3-13.
  • Mandatory spring draft servicemen completed a three-day field training at the training center base of the de facto Ministry of Defense. They practiced in the use of general weapons and passed standards in engineering, military medical training and military topography.  

combat training for mandatory spring draft servicemen. Source: sputnik-ossetia.ru

Cooperation with the Russian Federation

  • Entrants to the Russian military universities, passed standards in the training center of the de facto Ministry of Defense.
  • Internship program started in the de facto Ministry of Defense in Tskhinvali. Those Ossetian cadets who graduated from Russian military schools participate in the program which is aimed at developing cadets’ practical professional skills.
  • On August 25, an oath taking ceremony was held in the military city of the so-called Ministry of Defense of de facto republic. Those cadets who will continue their studies in military schools of the Russian Federation took the oath. Before the ceremony, the cadets underwent the initial military training course at the training center of the Ministry of Defense. The de facto President, Alan Gagloyev, also visited them.

History Lessons for the Military

  • Within the framework of the military-patriotic education program, History Lessons of the so-called South Ossetia were held for military servicemen. The program includes visits to museums, military glory and historical importance locations.

 

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.