Russia Needs Year to Complete Housing of Troops in Abkhazia, S.Ossetia ? Official

Russia will complete housing for its troops in military bases in Abkhazia and South Ossetia “within one year,” Gen. Nikolai Makarov, chief of the general staff of the Russian armed forces, said on October 21. 

“At the request of the Republic of Abkhazia and Republic of South Ossetia, we have concluded joint agreements according to which two military bases housing 3,700 servicemen each – one in Abkhazia and the other in South Ossetia – will be constructed,” Makarov said at a press conference in Moscow.  “These military bases are designed to protect our interests, and those of the two republics.”

Sergey Shamba, the Abkhaz foreign minister, said on October 21 that Russia would station troops in Abkhazia at two military bases – in Gudauta and Ochamchire. Russian troops will also have outposts in upper Kodori Gorge, he added.

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