Russia has decided to move the Black Sea Fleet from Crimea to Abkhazia: Georgian authorities are outraged

Russia plans to create a permanent naval base on the coast of Abkhazia (Georgian territory annexed by Russia). This information was provided by the so-called leader of Abkhazia. Georgia called such plans a “gross violation of its sovereignty.” Writes about this with the BBC.

Photo: IStock

“President” of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania stated: “We have signed an agreement, and in the near future there will be a permanent base for the Russian Navy in the Ochamchira region.”

According to Bzhania, this agreement will strengthen the defense capabilities of both Russia and Abkhazia. He made this statement after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Georgia has expressed concern over reports of plans to establish a Russian naval base in Abkhazia, calling it a “gross violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.”

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The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized: “We express concern about the statement of the Russian occupation regime in Sukhumi about the creation of an additional Russian military base in the occupied territory of Georgia.”

Russia's Black Sea Fleet, which is based in Sevastopol, annexed along with Crimea in 2014, has come under repeated attacks from Ukrainian forces since the launch of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In 2008, Russia annexed part of Georgian territory - Abkhazia and South Ossetia - and recognized them as independent. When discussions began in 2009 about the possibility of placing a Russian military base in Ochamchira, NATO expressed its alarm about this.

Three countries on the Black Sea coast - Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania - are NATO members. Most countries in the world recognize Abkhazia as part of Georgia. Besides Russia, only Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria recognized the independence of Abkhazia.

At a meeting with the “president” of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, Russian President Vladimir Putin did not make explicit statements about the creation of a naval base. However, Bzhania expressed a desire to take part in “integration initiatives proposed by Russia.”

Information about a possible Russian naval base at Ochamchira, used during Soviet times, may indicate Russia is looking for an alternative to Sevastopol, as well as expanding its military presence along the Black Sea coast towards Turkey.

The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Russia had moved a significant portion of its Black Sea Fleet from its main base in annexed Crimea due to attacks from Ukraine. The publication referred to sources and satellite images, which were confirmed by military experts. This step, according to the publication, provides more reliable protection for ships.

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Military experts say the direct military implications of the move are limited because the ships could still use their weapons, including cruise missiles, against Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, such as ports and power grids.

Based on satellite imagery, it can be stated that at least 17 Russian ships moved from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk. The location of the proposed new base in Abkhazia is approximately 500 kilometers southeast of Novorossiysk.

Attacks from Ukraine have already led to the breaking of a naval blockade of Ukrainian ports, depriving Russia of access to parts of the Black Sea and opening up a new route for Ukraine to ship economically significant grain shipments.

The Kremlin has not yet confirmed information about plans to build a permanent base for the Russian fleet in Abkhazia. Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters: “I cannot comment on this. Issues related to the deployment of our troops, ships and units fall under the competence of the Ministry of Defense."

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