Russia has had C-300 Missiles in Abakhzia for Past 2 Years: US

Russia’s announcement about deploying sophisticated air-defense system, C-300, in breakaway Abkhazia might not be a new development, as Russia has maintained such system there since the August 2008 war, US Department of State said, reports Civil.ge

“It’s our understanding that Russia has had C-300 missiles in Abkhazia for the past two years,” State Department spokesperson Philip J. Crowley said at a news briefing in Washington on August 11.

“We can’t confirm whether they [Russia] have added to those systems or not. We will look into that. This by itself is not necessarily a new development. That system has been in place for some time,” he added.

Reuters reported quoting an unnamed Pentagon official that the US could not yet confirm the deployment of new missiles and was seeking further information.

Commander of the Russian Air Forces, Colonel General Alexander Zelin, said on August 11, that Russia had deployed long range C-300 in Abkhazia to protect its airspace and Russian military bases deployed there. He said that C-300 missile system “will cover only facilities located on the territory of Abkhazia”. Air defense of South Ossetia is provided with other systems, Zelin said.

“At the same time, the task of air defense of Abkhazia and South Ossetia will be also implemented by frontline and army aviation carrying out combat duties there,” Zelin added.

No other details, including the date of deployment were reported.

Asked about Russia’s announcement, foreign minister of breakaway Abkhazia, Maxim Gvinjia, initially denied in an interview with BBC Russian service that C-300 were deployed in Abkhazia, suggesting that Col. Gen. Zelin’s remarks were probably misunderstood by journalists.

However, later, in an interview with RIA Novosti news agency, Gvinjia said that C-300 was deployed and added that it was in line with an agreement on military cooperation between Moscow and Sokhumi.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry condemned the move and said it “represents a clear example of reinforcement of military dimension of Russia’s declared imperial policy of ‘spheres of influence’.”

“It is absolutely incomprehensible for what purpose this extremely dangerous and provocative step may serve, which poses threat to the security of not only the Black Sea region, but of entire Europe,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on August 11.

The C-300 is a long-range air defense able to engage number of targets simultaneously and to detect, track and destroy cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and aircraft at low-to-high altitude.