June 30, 2009
Russia stages war games near Georgia
In what appears to be some deliberate saber rattling, Russia is doing maneuvers in plain sight of the Georgian state. After invading Georgia only a few months ago, Russia’s government seems to be telling the world that this is its turf.
Russia has mobilised thousands of troops in the North Caucasus in sweeping war games aimed at warning foes that its military remains alert since fighting a war with Georgia in the area last year.
Georgia swiftly condemned the exercises as “dangerous” and accused Moscow of seeking to stoke tensions in the region.
“Holding such large-scale exercises in this region… is dangerous and is playing with fire. This is aimed at further increasing tensions in the region,” Georgia’s deputy foreign minister, Alexander Nalbandov, told AFP on Monday.
Dubbed Caucasus 2009, the week-long exercises are just north of where Russia and Georgia fought over the pro-Moscow rebel region of South Ossetia. (Brisbane Times)
November 12, 2008
Russia plans military bases in South Ossetia and Abkhazia
The spoils of the Georgian war may not include Georgia … yet. In the next logical step towards annexation, Russia is preparing permanent military bases in the two former Georgian Republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Look for more bold moves from the Medvedev / Putin Government. They know the Europeans to be indecisive and weak, and will likely find the new American president will be equally weak. At the very least, they will continue to test both of them.
“Russia’s military bases will be established during 2009 in Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) and Gudauta (Abkhazia),” the source said.
Chief of the RF Armed Forces General Staff Army General Nikolay Makarov told reporters in Moscow in October that the strength of each base would be 3,700 servicemen.
According to Makarov, the bases will be deployed to defend interests of Russia and of both republics. Russia will set up bases in South Ossetia and Abkhazia under the Friendship and Cooperation Treaties concluded with those republics. (Kommersant)
