A permanent base for the Russian Navy may appear in Abkhazia

The Kremlin did not confirm information about the construction of a new permanent base for the Russian Navy in Abkhazia. “All issues related to the deployment of our units, our ships, our units are within the competence of the Ministry of Defense,” Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters on October 5.

Earlier, President of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania, in an interview with the Izvestia newspaper, announced an agreement between Moscow and Sukhum on the construction of a new base for the Russian Navy in the Ochamchira region of Abkhazia. “On the Independence Day of the Republic [в честь дня победы в грузино-абхазской войне 1992-1993 гг.] A small rocket ship came to us, we climbed aboard – a very modern ship with serious combat capabilities. We have signed an agreement, and in the near future there will be a permanent base for the Russian Navy,” he said.

Bzhania also noted that Abkhazia continues to cooperate with Russia in the military-technical sphere, and the Abkhaz military can take courses to improve their skills in Russian special educational institutions.

The joint 7th Russian military base is located on the territory of Abkhazia. From August 21 to September 1, 2023, joint Russian-Abkhaz military tactical and special tactical exercises were held in four regions of the republic, aimed at increasing the level of field training of troops and forces, coordinating their actions when performing combat missions. Currently, the Russian and Abkhaz military are jointly ensuring the security of the republic, and employees of the border service of the FSB of Russia are guarding the border of Abkhazia. In Ochamchira there is a base for coast guard boats of the FSB border service.

In addition to the construction of a naval base in the capital of the republic, Sukhum, it is also planned to reconstruct the airport. “We signed an intergovernmental agreement on the development of the airport. As soon as information appears about a potential investor who will be approved on a competitive basis, we will make a special statement on this matter,” Marianna Kvitsinia, press secretary of the Abkhaz president, told Vedomosti.

On September 30, Abkhazia celebrated Victory and Independence Day, which, according to the Abkhaz president, was attended by the leaders of Adygea, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia, Karachay-Cherkessia, Chechnya, Bashkiria, Tatarstan, St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region. In addition to them, the event was also attended by retired Russian military personnel, representatives of the State Duma and the Federation Council.

Moscow recognized the independence of Abkhazia following the war on August 26, 2008. In addition to Russia, the sovereignty of the republic was also recognized by four UN member states – Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru and Syria.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia, since 2008, Russia, within the framework of interstate assistance, has allocated assistance to the needs of the republic in the amount of 110 billion rubles: of which approximately 30 billion rubles. – this is an investment program, another 40 billion rubles. – salaries and 40 billion rubles. – pensions.