Russia Incorporates Georgian Forces Into Its Military

Russia finalized the incorporation of some military units from Georgia’s breakaway region of South Ossetia into the Russian Armed Forces, after an agreement was inked in Moscow last Friday.

The agreement, signed by Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and his South Ossetian counterpart Ibragim Gasseyev, follows an announcement made in March by Russian President Vladimir Putin, where he signaled his approval of Russian government plans to incorporate South Ossetian forces.

The start of a Russian takeover of armed forces in Georgia’s breakaway South Ossetia region dates back to March 2015, when the two sides developed a mutual cooperation agreement that envisaged the establishment of a common defense and security space, free border crossing, and other steps towards integration. That deal struck then acted as the cornerstone for establishing closer relations between Russia and South Ossetia.

Azad Isazade, a military expert based in Baku, says the agreement signed last week is essentially a de jure ratification of what was a de facto arrangement, noting that the forces in South Ossetia touted as being incorporated into Russia’s military are, in fact, Russian forces deployed to the region in 2008.

“Earlier this year there were reports that South Ossetia may be annexed to Russia, like it did to Crimea. The processes being carried out in Ossetia are Russia’s warning to neighboring countries, ‘Watch your step or you’ll face the same fate’,” Isazade said.

“This is the result of Russia’s century-old policy in the Caucasus. Moscow is trying to gradually reclaim its previous power and control over the region,” he added.

Georgia has been trying to claim its authority in the South Ossetia region, which shares a border with Russia, since the founding of the post-Soviet republic in 1991. Efforts to reclaim control ignited a brief but bloody war in August 2008, in which Russia intervened. Russia’s recent move may be a maneuver to avoid any future clashes and wars over the region.

“I don’t see any possibility of a resumption of clashes between Russia and Georgia immediately after Russo-South Ossetian forces integration. But this doesn’t mean the probability of a war at some point has completely dissipated,” said Isazade.

“Russia and South Ossetia have now tightened their relations, and in case of any military operation by Georgia against the territory the credibility of Russia’s intervention will seem higher.”

In 2008, France brokered a ceasefire agreement to end the war, but dispute over the region’s status has never completely abated. A “cold war” ensued between Moscow and Tbilisi, which cut all diplomatic ties ever since.