A surprise Russian military drill in the Armenian village of Panik caused panic on Tuesday, local residents report. The 102 Russian military base, located in the nearby city of Gyumri, apologised to the authorities of Shirak Province for the surprise drill. [Read more…]
Russian Duma ratifies merger of South Ossetian forces with Russian military
South Ossetian military (alaniamil.org)
A deal to integrate South Ossetian military units into the Russian armed forces has been ratified by Russia. Russia’s State Duma gave the final go-ahead for the merger on 24 January, a day after the first batch of American Javelin anti-tank missiles arrived in Georgia.
Army or education? Young men in Armenia face a dilemma
Armenian recruits (Armine Avetisyan /OC Media)
The new law on conscription has left many Armenian students stunned. While stressing their commitment to serving the country, many worry that in practice, it will be hard to obtain Master’s degree after three years of non-deferrable military service.
Duty of an only son: to serve the motherland or continue the family name?
Rashad’s photos are displayed in every room. (Seymur Kazimov /OC Media)
While throughout the region there are debates around compulsory military service — how it applies to students or if it should apply at all — in Azerbaijan, a different debate is raging. Many are demanding exemptions for only sons in a family, who continue the family name, while most politicians oppose the move, calling it unpatriotic.
Relatives demand rescue of Georgian helicopter pilot in DR Congo
Soso Osurauli (people.ge)
The relatives of Soso Osurauli, a Georgian pilot being held captive by rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo, held a protest in the village of Kvemo Alvani in eastern Georgia on 24 May. The protesters were demanding that the government release details of Osurauli’s precise location. [Read more…]
More Ingush sign up for military academies
(ingushetia.ru)
This year, the Military Commissariat of Ingushetia, Aram Akopyan, identified 239 people wishing to begin studying at military academies. Akopyan announced during a meeting of Ingushetia’s government that this is 72 more than last year.
Kadyrov to visit Syria
Chechen special forces (interpolit.ru)
Chechen Head Ramzan Kadyrov is planning to visit Syria, Russian MP and Kadyrov’s cousin Adam Delimkhanov told media on 22 March, during a trip of Russian MPs to Aleppo. Delimkhanov refused to specify when Kadyrov was planning to visit.
Russia approves incorporation of South Ossetian units into Russian army
South Ossetian military (alaniamil.org)
The Russian government officially disclosed an agreement with the de facto Republic of South Ossetia on 13 March which will lead to some South Ossetian military units becoming the part of the Russian military.
