Permanent base for the Russian fleet on the coast of Abkhazia

The Russian Navy intends to establish a base on the Black Sea coast in the breakaway region of Abkhazia in Georgia, the region's leader told Russian media on Thursday, as Ukraine intensifies its attacks on the Russian fleet in Crimea.

President of Abkhazia Aslan Bezhania said that a new permanent base for the Russian Navy will appear on the Black Sea coast of this republic.

Bezhania noted that an agreement in this regard had been signed between Russia and Abkhazia.

He added: "We have signed an agreement on this. In the near future, a permanent base for the Russian Navy will appear in the Ochamchira region of Abkhazia."

The President of Abkhazia stated that he personally inspected one of the small Russian missile ships.

Currently, the city of Ochamchira has a base for patrol ships of the Russian Coast Guard. This base has been operating since 2017.

Plans to establish a base for Black Sea Fleet ships in the Abkhaz port of Ochamchira were discussed in early 2009.

From August 21 to September 1 of this year, joint tactical and special military air exercises with Russia took place in four regions of Abkhazia.