GEORGIA: Russian troops hold military drills in Georgia's breakaway republic of Abkhazia

Record ID: 643391

  • Title: GEORGIA: Russian troops hold military drills in Georgia's breakaway republic of Abkhazia
  • Date: 26th March 2014
  • Summary: THIS EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL THAT WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3 NAGVALOU, ABKHAZIA, GEORGIA (MARCH 25, 2014) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) RUSSIAN SOLIDERS NEAR GRAD MULTIPLE MISSILE LAUNCHER GRAD MULTIPLE MISSILE LAUNCHERS ON ROAD VARIOUS OF TANKS ON SEA SHORE VARIOUS OF TANKS DRIVING ON FIELD VARIOUS OF RUSSIAN SOLDIERS IN TANK GIVING INSTRUCTIONS ON FIRE TARGETS BARREL MOVING VARIOUS OF GRAD MULTIPLE MISSILE LAUNCHERS ON ROAD RUSSIAN SOLDIERS OPERATING GRAD MULTIPLE MISSILE LAUNCHER
  • Embargoed: 10th April 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Georgia
  • Country: Georgia
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA3V64CLIQK21MIXKVA8U1BOQC7
  • Story Text: Russian troops were seen holding military drills on the Black Sea coast of Georgia's breakaway republic of Abkhazia on Tuesday (March 25).
    The drills started last Friday (March 21) and involve heavy air defence weaponry, such as Grad multiple missile launchers, Shturm anti-tank missile systems and Igla portable surface-to-air missile systems.
    The main objective of the drills is to hold defence at an "unknown terrain on the sea coast", Russian news agencies reported citing the military press service.
    Russian drills in Abkhazia coincided with military exercises in the breakaway republic of Transdniestria, as tension grows in the region following Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region.
    The separatist region of Transdniestria fought a brief war with Moldova in 1992 and it declared itself an independent state, but it remains unrecognized by any country, including Russia.
    Russia has held several military drills during months of political upheaval in Ukraine. Some have brought large Russian forces close to Ukraine's eastern border, adding to concerns of an invasion after President Vladimir Putin secured permission from parliament to send in troops to protect Russians citizens and interests if needed.
    Russia recognised the independence of Abkhazia and the separatist region of South Ossetia after waging a five-day war with Georgia in August 2008. Georgia and most other countries do not recognise them as independent states.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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