Russia to Spend over USD 460 mln in 2010 for Military Presence in Abkhazia

Russia will spend 15-16 billion rubles (about USD 460-490 million) next year on development of its military base and border security infrastructure in Abkhazia, Vladimir Putin, the Russian prime minister, said.

“Next year we will allocate lots of money for resolving security issues, involving equipping our base and the Abkhaz state border – around 15 billion rubles,” Putin said in an interview with Abkhaz journalist ahead of his trip to Abkhazia.

Putin arrived in Sokhumi on August 12 where he has already met with Abkhaz leader, Sergey Bagapsh and laid a wreath at a memorial of those killed in the Abkhaz war in early 90s.

“[These funds] will be used to reinforce borders and to create a modern border protection infrastructure… to equip our border guards and our military bases. I repeat an overall of 15-16 billion rubles will be allocated for that purpose,” Putin said.

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