Chances rising for fresh Georgia -Russia war - defense chief
The possibility of a fresh war between Georgia and
Russia has increased, Georgian Defense Minister Vasil Sikharulidze
has warned.
Thus, Russia has deployed T-90 modern battle tanks supplied with up-to-date rockets in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and provided Mil Mi-28 anti-armor attack helicopters to its army unit, which was involved in military operations last year, for overnight combat. Moreover, Russia has stationed additional 10,000 soldiers in Abkhazia and is now preparing to stage military exercises in the unrecognized republics.
According to Sikharulidze, all these moves indicate that Russia is bracing up for a resumption of military action.
"They are not confining themselves to stationing more troops in our occupied territories, but are also strengthening their military infrastructure," the Georgian defense minister said. "They are putting supply roads to order and setting up warehouses and barracks in the occupied land. This is a matter of concern for us and it creates suspicions of ongoing preparations for new military operations."
Moscow and Tbilisi earlier clashed after military stand-off in Georgia`s breakaway republic of South Ossetia. Georgia had launched large-scale military operations to restore its territorial integrity in early August 2008. Moscow retaliated by sending troops to the pro-Russian region, which struck at the Georgian positions with overwhelming force. A ceasefire was, subsequently, reached in mid-August with French mediation.
Thus, Russia has deployed T-90 modern battle tanks supplied with up-to-date rockets in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and provided Mil Mi-28 anti-armor attack helicopters to its army unit, which was involved in military operations last year, for overnight combat. Moreover, Russia has stationed additional 10,000 soldiers in Abkhazia and is now preparing to stage military exercises in the unrecognized republics.
According to Sikharulidze, all these moves indicate that Russia is bracing up for a resumption of military action.
"They are not confining themselves to stationing more troops in our occupied territories, but are also strengthening their military infrastructure," the Georgian defense minister said. "They are putting supply roads to order and setting up warehouses and barracks in the occupied land. This is a matter of concern for us and it creates suspicions of ongoing preparations for new military operations."
Moscow and Tbilisi earlier clashed after military stand-off in Georgia`s breakaway republic of South Ossetia. Georgia had launched large-scale military operations to restore its territorial integrity in early August 2008. Moscow retaliated by sending troops to the pro-Russian region, which struck at the Georgian positions with overwhelming force. A ceasefire was, subsequently, reached in mid-August with French mediation.
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