Russia will set up a naval base in the separatist Georgian region of Abkhazia, its leader has told Russian media.
Aslan Bzhania told the Izvestia tabloid his Moscow-backed region would soon host a “permanent point of deployment” for Russia on the Black Sea coast.
It comes as Ukraine increases its attacks on Russia’s Black Sea fleet. Two weeks ago, Kyiv struck the fleet’s headquarters in Crimea, reports the BBC.
The Kremlin has refused to comment on the alleged deal.
Georgia’s foreign ministry said it would be a “flagrant violation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
Abkhazia, which already hosts a Russian military base, lies in the north-western corner of Georgia and borders Russia.
The region fought a war of secession with Georgia from 1992-93 and declared independence in 1999, but has little international recognition.
Since the Georgian-Russian war of 2008, Moscow has recognized it as an independent state.
Source: The BBC
