Moscow, Sep 20 (DPA) Russia intends to significantly upgrade marine patrols off the coast of Georgia’s breakaway region of Abkhazia, 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 territories of both Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but Moscow has recognized their bids for independence.
According to media reports, several units of the Russian Black Sea Fleet will be stationed in the Abkhazian town of Ochamchira.
Around 1,000 Abkhazian security forces men will monitor the 350-km land and sea border between the breakaway republic and Georgia, according to the Russian Border Guards.
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.
