Armoured vehicles at Russia-Georgia border “no threat of aggression” - defence minister

Georgian defence minister Juansher Burchuladze on Tuesday said the recent appearance of an armoured military vehicle at the Russia-Georgia border “carries no threats” of military aggression, noting the development was Russia’s “internal issue”. 

Burchuladze was making the comment after the federal security service of Russia earlier this week said an armoured vehicle was being stationed at the Upper Larsi border crossing checkpoint with Georgia to “prevent unforeseen situations” following the announcement of partial military mobilisation in Russia for its ongoing war against Ukraine. 

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Speaking to domestic media, the Georgian official stressed interior security from the Georgian side at all border crossing checkpoints had been “particularly tightened” in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February.

Georgia has always ensured strict control at its checkpoints. However, currently, maximum resources are mobilised to prevent any threats there”, said the minister. 

Russian media on Monday reported Moscow also had plans to set up a registration and recruitment point near the Georgian border, following reports on an increased flow of Russian citizens looking to evade military service by crossing the border. 

Lasha Khutsishvili, the minister of finance of Georgia, on Monday said the number of individuals entering and leaving the country had both increased recently, stressing the “situation is under full control” at border checkpoints.

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The minister stressed there was “no dramatic situation” at checkpoints and rejected the opposition’s claims over an alleged "mass influx"of Russian nationals following the announcement of the partial mobilisation in Russia.

Khutsishvili said additional personnel had been sent to staff checkpoints across the country in response to the increased flows of individuals and cargo across the borders, noting crossing point staff were working “round the clock”.