Russia has decided to build a military base near Abkhazia, a region in Georgia that wants to be independent from Georgia. The leader of Abkhazia told the Russian media about this plan.
Aslan Bzhania told a newspaper called Izvestia that his region, which is supported by Moscow, will soon have a permanent location for Russia on the Black Sea coast.
This happens as Ukraine is attacking Russia’s Black Sea fleet more often. Two weeks ago, Kyiv attacked the fleet’s main base in Crimea.
The Russian government has chosen not to say anything about the reported agreement.
Georgia’s government said that it would be a serious act that goes against Georgia’s authority and land if this were to happen.
Abkhazia is a place in Georgia that is next to Russia. It already has a Russian military area there.
The area was involved in a war with Georgia from 1992-1993 and claimed independence in 1999, although not many countries acknowledge it as an independent nation.
After the war between Georgia and Russia in 2008, Moscow accepted it as a separate country. Georgia accuses Russia of occupying Abkhazia.
Mr Bzhania said the new naval base in the Ochamchire district would increase Russia and Abkhazia’s ability to defend themselves and protect their important interests. “He told Izvestia that security is the most important thing. ”
He saw Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin earlier this week and showed he backs Moscow’s conflict in Ukraine.
The UK defence ministry has suggested that Russia’s Black Sea fleet is moving towards the eastern region due to increased attacks from Ukraine in occupied Crimea.
Satellite pictures show that 17 Russian ships have moved from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk.
The alleged new Abkhazia base is located 500km (300 miles) to the southeast of Novorossiysk, near the Black Sea coast.
Russian presidential spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, ignored questions about ship deployments and told reporters to ask the defense ministry instead.
The Black Sea fleet in Moscow is considered the most important unit in their navy. The ships shot missiles at Ukraine, which resulted in serious damage.
Kyiv sees the fleet as an important target, so they attacked its headquarters in Crimea in late September. They claimed to have killed 34 Russian officers.
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