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Russia ups marine patrols off coast of Georgia's breakaway republic
Sep 20, 2009, 11:28 GMT
Moscow - Russia intends to significantly upgrade marine patrols off the coast of the breakaway region of Abkhazia in Georgia, the Russian news agency Interfax reported Sunday.
The dispute over the status of Abkhazia and the other breakaway republic of South Ossetia led to war last summer between Russia and Georgia.
To monitor the coastline, 10 modern patrol boats would be utilized, the Russian intelligence agency FSB announced, according to Interfax.
Georgia claims both territories, but Moscow has recognized their bids for autonomy.
According to media reports, several units of the Russian Black Sea Fleet will be stationed in the Abkhazian town of Ochamchira.
Around 1,000 Abhkazian security forces will monitor the 350- kilometre land and sea border between the breakaway republic and Georgia, according to the Russian Border Guard.
The authorities in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, have seized merchant vessels on their way to supply Abkhazia, as they try to enforce an economic blockade.
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