Abkhazia: Russia to build naval base in Georgian separatist region, says local leader

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.

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 recognised it as an independent state. Georgia says Abkhazia is occupied by Russia.

Mr Bzhania said the new naval base in the Ochamchire district would boost the defence capacity of Russia and Abkhazia, and "safeguard the fundamental interests" of both. "Security is above all," he told Izvestia.

He met Russia's President Vladimir Putin earlier this week, and expressed support for Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Facing more Ukrainian attacks in occupied Crimea, Russia's Black Sea fleet activities are moving eastwards, the UK defence ministry has suggested.

At least 17 Russian vessels have relocated from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk, high-resolution satellite pictures show.

The site of the purported new Abkhazia base is 500km (300 miles) further south-east of Novorossiysk, along the Black Sea coast.

Basing vessels in Abkhazia would raise the prospect of Russia launching attacks from Georgian territory, or Ukrainian attacks on Georgian soil.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not respond to questions on ship deployments, instead directing reporters to the defence ministry.

Moscow's Black Sea fleet is seen as the flagship unit of its navy. The ships have launched missiles at Ukraine causing devastating damage.

This has made it an important target for Kyiv, which in late September hit the fleet's headquarters in Crimea, claiming to have killed 34 Russian officers.

Additional reporting by Daniele Palumbo