Russia begins patrolling Abkhazian waters
Published 21 September, 2009, 16:45
The first Russian patrol boat has arrived in the Republic of Abkhazia to protect the sea borders of the young state which declared independence from Georgia last summer following Tbilisi's attack on South Ossetia.
It was recognized by Moscow in 2008.
The Novorossiysk is the first of a flotilla of up to ten vessels to be based at the Black Sea port of Ochamchira.
Russian border guards will be watching for illegal trespassers from neighboring Georgia.
Vyacheslav Chirikba, a foreign policy adviser to the Abkhazian President, says the decision to send patrol boats to the republic is a lawful response to Georgian actions.
“Following Georgia’s capturing of peaceful cargo ships en route to Abkhazia in international waters, Russia felt compelled to protect Abkhazia from aggressive Georgian action,” Chirikba explained.
Russia’s Federal Security Service also announced that a base for Black Sea Fleet ships is to be established in Abkhazia.
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