Publication:  N5 / Review period: January 1-31, 2021 /Author: Ani Zirakashvili

Review of the Russian Military Forces’ Activities 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.

Russian Military Forces in Abkhazia

Military exercises

In January, units of the 7th military base of the Russian Federation in Abkhazia participated in various military exercises:

• Antitank units exercised at the Tsebelda and Nagvalou military training grounds. As part of the exercise servicemen used the Shturm-S anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) and an upgraded thermographic vision sight for the first time.
• Servicemen of a reconnaissance unit worked out reconnaissance, sabotage and anti-sabotage missions. More than 200 servicemen and 30 units of combat equipment were involved in the exercise, including UAVs.
• Air defense specialists exercised to destroy  a conditional enemy. During the exercise particular attention was paid to the fight against UAVs. More than 500 military servicemen participated in the exercise and completed up to 100 tasks.
• Military servicemen from different units carried out combat exercises at the Tsebelda and Nagvalou military training grounds. More than 1500 military personnel and about 300 units of combat equipment were involved in the exercises.
• Up to 1500 military personnel participated in a virtual exercise. Each had an assignment appropriate to their specialties. Modern computer simulators created a virtual environment, close to reality.

Virtual exercises on computer simulators. Source: The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

• Military servicemen completed combat training using the “Koleso” modular system.The teaching system develops professional skills through a special field material and technical base, and simulators. More than 1000 servicemen participated in the exercises which were held at the Tsebelda and Nagvalou military training grounds.

Joint exercises

• Units of motorized infantry, radio electronic warfare and air defence specialists carried out a joint military exercise at the Tsebelda military training ground. As part of the exercise, military personnel worked out methods of fighting against UAVs and cruise missiles.
• Servicemen of the 7th military base of the Russian Federation in Abkhazia and emergency management specialists carried out a joint exercise to extinguish forest fires. 150 military servicemen and ten units of equipment were involved in the joint exercise.
• Servicemen of the 7th military base and the Armed Forces of the de facto republic conducted a joint exercise. The exercise involved more than 3000 military personnel and about 500 units of combat equipment, including UAVs.

Conscripts

• The last group of recruits of the fall 2020 call-up took the military oath. In total, five swearing-in ceremonies were held from November 2020 to January 2021. Each recruit underwent a medical examination and a physical fitness test, as well as a combat training course. The conscripts were assigned to respective units.

The swearing-in ceremony at the 7th military base. Source: The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

• As part of an exercise, more than 1000 conscripts improved their shooting skills from standard weapon in a difficult terrain. Prior to the exercise they underwent a special training course.

Summary of military activities in 2020

• Air defense units took part in more than 60 tactical exercises and destroyed a total of more than 1500 targets, including UAVs, tactical planes, anti-aircraft missiles.
• More than 1500 servicemen participated in about 100 crises management exercises. The exercises involved the Air Forces and the Air Defense Forces, as well as hundreds of units of combat equipment,
• Military servicemen participated in more than 250 operational and combat training events. They also took part in the Kavkaz 2020 strategic command-staff exercise and in the 6th Army International Games.

Festive events

• Commanders of the Southern Military District congratulated military servicemen on the New Year and handed over presents to 200 families.
• Military servicemen celebrated Christmas. A New Year's entertainment event and a theatrical performance were held for children. In the evening, military servicemen, their family members and the base civilians attended a Christmas liturgy.
• Servicemen took part in a symbolic ritual of ablution on the feast of the Epiphany. A festive service was held at the St. Nicholas military church. A total of more than 500 people attended the event.

Other events

• The de facto President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, spoke about the importance of military cooperation with the Russian Federation. According to him there is a need to improve the level of combat readiness and technical equipment of the de facto Armed Forces of Abkhazia.

Russian Military Forces in the Tskhinvali Region

Military exercises

Units of the 4th military base of the Russian Federation in the Tskhinvali region took part in various military exercises in January:

• A reconnaissance unit repulsed an attack of a conditional opponent. Servicemen surrounded the conditional enemy, suppressed their firing positions, and captured the survivors. Military doctors also participated in the exercise.
• Motorized infantry completed combat shooting. The exercise involved up to 200 military servicemen and 30 units of equipment, including UAVs.
• At the Dzartsemi military training ground, servicemen practiced the use of the RGN and RGO grenades launchers and destroyed targets in highlands and foothills.
• Grenade launcher operators exercised in combat shooting at the Dzartsemi military training ground. Servicemen used the RPG-7V grenade launchers to destroy targets at 250 to 350-meter distance. In total, more than 100 military servicemen took part in the exercise.
• A battalion tactical group exercised at the Dzartsemi military training ground. Motorized infantry performed a march and destroyed a conditional enemy using new tactical methods in difficult terrain.
• Tankmen exercised at the Dzartsemi military training ground. The exercise involved more than 700 military servicemen and up to 100 units of military equipment.
• As part of an exercise, military doctors evacuated conditionally wounded servicemen. The exercise involved up to 150 medics and more than 30 special medical vehicles.

Festive events

• The Yunarmiya cadets congratulated military servicemen on the New Year and handed over symbolic presents. Creative teams of the cadets held New Year performances.

Other events

• More than 20 children of military servicemen participated in sambo competitions. The winners were awarded with medals, certificates, and souvenirs.
• The de facto President of the Tskhinvali region, Anatoly Bibilov, met with the Commander of Russia's 58th Combined Arms Army, the Major General Mikhail Zusko. Bibilov expressed gratitude for the prompt deployment of a multi-profile mobile hospital in Tskhinvali. For his part, Zusko spoke about a package of documents on the development of the de facto Armed Forces of the Tskhinvali region which they received in November 2020.

Meeting of Anatoly Bibilov and Mikhail Zusko. Source: Web-page of the de facto President of the Tskhinvali region

• In February 2021, the Tskhinvali region and the Russian Federation will sign an agreement on mutual recognition of the seniority of military service. As a result, contract and retired servicemen will receive salary and pension supplements. The Russian President, Vladimer Putin, has already endorsed the signing of the agreement.
• Military servicemen held an open lesson at schools dedicated to the end of the siege of Leningrad and talked about various topic, including Russia’s support to the Tskhinvali region during the August 2008 war.

Preparations for the Army-2021

The 7th International Army Games (Army-2021) is an international military event organized by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, which is held annually. This year it will start on August 22 and last till September 4. The Army-2021 will take place in 15 countries. The de facto republic of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region will also take part in the event. At this stage, preparations for various competitions of the Army-2021 are underway.

Abkhazia

• Reconnaissance unit started preparations for the Excellence in Military Intelligence competition. More than 500 military servicemen are participating in the qualifying stage of the competition, as part of which the servicemen complete standards, exercise in shooting and armor management, carry out reconnaissance operations.
• The qualifying stage of the Excellence in Military Intelligence competition was held at the Tsebelda and Nagvalou military training grounds. More than 500 servicemen and about 200 units of combat equipment were involved in the event. At the final stage, of the event, a group with the best results was identified.

The Tskhinvali region

• The de facto Ministry of Défense of the Tskhinvali region formed groups from tank, sniper, and reconnaissance units to take part in various competitions within the framework of the Army-2021. If necessary, Russian military training grounds will also be used for the exercises.
• Selection of military servicemen for the participation in the Army-2021 competitions began. Tank and BMP-2 crews, drivers of Ural and KamAZ vehicles and sniper pairs were involved in the qualifying stage.
• More than 60 military servicemen from the Tskhinvali region will take part in the Army-2021. Basic and spare groups are being prepared at this stage.

Covid-19 and the Occupied Regions of Georgia

According to the latest data, more than 11500 cases of Covid-19 virus infection have been reported in the de facto republic of Abkhazia. In the Tskhinvali region, the number of laboratory-confirmed cases totals 2780. Due to the aggravated epidemiological situation and the lack of medical resources, the de facto governments of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region appealed to Russia for help. The Russian Federation provided prompt assistance to these regions.

Abkhazia

• At the request of the de facto Ministry of Défense to the Russian Federation, a multidisciplinary mobile hospital in Sokhumi which was to operate until January 18, 2021, continues to treat patients infected with the coronavirus. As of January 27, the hospital performed up to 4900 PCR tests resulting in more than 450 inpatient treatments and more than 2900 outpatient consultations.
• A planned vaccination began at the military base. Military servicemen have already received the first batch of 500 doses of the two-component vaccine Sputnik V. They will receive the second component of the vaccine after 21 days.

The Tskhinvali region

• Voluntary, planned vaccination of servicemen began on 14 January. About 200 military personnel have already received the COVID-19 vaccine.
• By January 25, more than 500 military servicemen had already received the first component of the Sputnik V vaccine, and up to 300 servicemen – both components. Vaccination of military families and civilian personnel of the base is also underway.

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.