Abkhazia declares no-fly zones

SUKHUM. Jan 27 (Interfax) - Abkhaz Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab has signed a resolution on temporary no-fly zones to protect Abkhazia from military or terrorist threats, the press service for the Abkhaz government said on Friday.

"The resolution aims to minimize military or terrorist threats, and to ensure security of Abkhaz protected state facilities, military sites and military infrastructure," head of the governmental department for legal affairs Andrei Gunia said.

According to him, no-fly zones will be created over administrative compounds, embassies, consulates, locations of government agencies and facilities, military infrastructure elements (including those Russian), military sites and defense structures, and warehouses storing state and mobilization reserves.

The resolution prohibits the airspace from being used in the no-fly zones, including by drones. Exceptions are made for search-and-rescue flights and flights that fulfill operative assignments in national interests.

The Abkhaz government has also prohibited drones from flying over the Sukhum Airport.