Georgian Defence Ministry dismisses TV reports of troops leaving defence forces en masse

The Georgian Defence Ministry on Monday dismissed reports by opposition-minded TV channels that said servicemembers were leaving  the Georgian Defence Forces “en masse” as “disinformation”.

The statement emphasised the GDF was a “living organism” that saw a continuous process of servicemembers leaving its ranks while new troops joined.

It also noted indicators of numbers of professionals in the ranks of the armed forces were “stable” for all branches of the GDF. 

The state body said the TV reports aimed to “cast a shadow on the successful reforms” in the armed forces and “unprecedented steps” taken for ensuring care for personnel, which it said had “substantially improved” financial, medical and educational conditions of servicemembers while also addressing their needs in housing, equipment, food and other areas. 

Its statement also said the “campaign to discredit the army” - which it alleged had been launched by “politically engaged actors” - “clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of the ongoing reform and reconstruction process” in the Defence Forces.

The Ministry noted the “politically engaged” TV stations had “practically never” covered positive developments at the armed forces in recent years, naming the strengthening its defence capabilities, NATO integration, international and domestic exercises and important international visits.