Russian military to practice repelling simulated attack on bases at drills in Abkhazia
MOSCOW. Aug 6 (Interfax) - Marines will simulate an operation to "seize" Russian military bases in Abkhazia during bilateral tactical exercises in Russia's Southern Military District, the military district's spokesman Vadim Astafyev said.
"In accordance with the decision adopted by commander of the Southern Military District's forces Col. Gen. Alexander Dvornikov, the combined-arms unit's command is conducting bilateral tactical drills at combined-arms training ranges located near the Black Sea coast of Abkhazia, Crimea and the Krasnodar Territory," Astafyev said.
Marines of the Crimea-based 22nd Army Corps, acting in coordination with forces of the Black Sea Fleet, will pose as an imaginary adversary and will try to "seize" the Black Sea coast during drills at the Nagvalou and Gudauta training ranges of the Russian military base in Abkhazia, he said.
"During the practical enacting of the exercises' tactical episodes, motorized rifle personnel will be backed by army air force helicopters, fighter jets, bombing aircraft and assault aircraft of the 4th Army of the Southern Ministry District's Air Force and Air Defense Force, and also ships of the Black Sea Fleet's Novorossiysk naval base," Astafyev said.
Dvornikov will assess the quality of different military units' interaction during the reconnaissance and strike elements of the drills.
The joint tactical exercises hosted by different districts on the Black Sea coast, including Taman, the Nagvalou range in Abkhazia and Crimea, began on August 1 and will end on August 15. They involve more than 2,500 servicemen and over 600 units of military hardware.