State Security Service: ‘Russia’s illegal military exercises significantly damage security environment in occupied Tskhinvali’

The occupying forces of the Russian Federation stationed in the occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region have started illegal military exercises on the ground.

Local media reports that the exercises began on February 19 with the training of snipers on mountainous terrain and artillery training is already underway in recent days on the ground.

Lika Kasradze, a resident of the village of Ergneti told RL/RFE that the sound of explosions is already a common occurrence for locals, as it has been going on for years.

When the sound of explosion reach to the village, it is so loud that even windows start to crack”, says Kasradze.

 The State Security Service (SSS) of Georgia has responded to the issue on February 25, stating that the occupying forces of the Russian Federation stationed in the occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region regularly conduct illegal military exercises on the ground, 'which damage the security environment there'.

The State Security Service also said that the illegal military exercises cause a sense of fear and insecurity to the local population.

Illegal military exercises conducted by the Russian occupation forces are a key issue for the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) and the Geneva International Discussions”, told the press office of the State Security Service to IPN.

The SSS said a hotline is being activated and the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) is being informed regarding the issue.

Militarisation process and illegal military exercises held in the occupied Tskhinvali had been key issues of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in the recent years.