RUSSIA: Russia would establish a naval base in the Abkhazia, according to its President Aslan Bzhania. He stated that a “permanent point of deployment” for Russia would soon be established in his province, which receives support from Moscow, along the Black Sea coast.
As Ukraine ramps up its assaults against Russia’s Black Sea navy, this development occurs. The fleet’s command centre in Crimea was attacked by Kyiv two weeks ago.
The Foreign Ministry of Georgia claims that a Russian military outpost in Georgia’s northwestern corner would be a “flagrant violation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Abkhazia, located in the northwestern region of Georgia, shares its border with Russia and currently houses a Russian military base. Although the region declared independence in 1999 after engaging in a secessionist conflict with Georgia in 1992–1993, it has received little international recognition.
Moscow has accepted it as a independent state ever since the 2008 Georgian-Russian War. According to Georgia, Russia has occupied Abkhazia.
According to Bzhania, the new naval facility in the Ochamchire district will strengthen Russia’s and Abkhazia’s defensive capabilities and “safeguard the fundamental interests” of both. He told a Russian newspaper that “security is above all”.
UK defence ministery suggested that Russia’s Black Sea fleet is heading eastwards in response to increased Ukrainian attacks in occupied Crimea. At least 17 Russian boats have moved from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk, according to satellite images.
The alleged new Abkhazia facility, located 500 km south-east of Novorossiysk on the Black Sea coast, increases the risk of Russian or Ukrainian strikes on Georgian soil or territory.
The Black Sea fleet of Moscow is regarded as the navy’s flagship. The ships fired missiles towards Ukraine, which caused terrible damage. Due to this, Kyiv made it a top priority to attack the fleet’s headquarters in Crimea in late September, claiming to have killed 34 Russian officers in the process.
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