Russia starts exercises in Georgian occupied regions
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Friday, February 15
Russia has launched military exercises in the two occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), the Radio Liberty writes based on the Russian Foreign Ministry representative Vadim Astafiev.
The exercises are being held on the territory of three countries-Georgia, Ukraine and Armenia.
In Ukraine, the drills are conducted in the occupied Crimea.
The exercises cover Volgograd, Rostov, Stavropol, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Ossetia, Crimea, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Armenia, Astafiev said, with more than 7,000 soldiers involved.
2,000 pieces of military-technical equipment and more than 50 air fighters and military helicopters are being used.
Astafiev says that the exercises aim to upgrade the combat capabilities of the soldiers involved.
Typically Russia conducts such exercises prior, during or after the military exercises conducted on behalf of NATO.
Russia has many times accused NATO and the United States of creating threats to regional security as they support Georgia to upgrade its military capabilities.
NATO-Georgia joint military exercise will be held in March near Tbilisi with the participation of 22 NATO member states and allies.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is scheduled to attend the opening of the exercises.
Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria have recognized the two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent republics in the wake of the Russia-Georgia 2008.
The rest of the international community says that the regions are under the Russian occupation.
