Russia Russian parliament ratifies Abkhazia and South Ossetia military base deployment 2809112

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Defense News - Russia
 
 

Wednesday, September 28, 2011, 11:31 AM
 

Russian parliament ratifies Abkhazia and South Ossetia military base deployment.
The Russian parliament's upper house ratified agreements on Wednesday concluded last year with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, under which Moscow will set up military bases in the breakaway republics.
     

A battalion of latest generation of Russian main battle tank T-90 is already deployed in Abkhazia
     

The treaties allow Russia to operate military bases Abkhazia and South Ossetia for an initial term of 49 years, with possible extensions for an additional 15 years, Federation Council Defense Committee Chairman Viktor Ozerov said.

On September 22, the parliament's lower house, the State Duma, ratified the same agreement. Georgia's Foreign Ministry described the move as an unlawful and irresponsible legitimization of the Russian military presence in the separatist regions.

Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008, following a five-day war with Georgia. The war began when Georgia attacked South Ossetia, where most residents are Russian passport holders. Russia's decision has been condemned by many nations. Georgia considers the two regions part of its sovereign territory.