Title: Russia Plans to Establish Naval Base on the Black Sea in Abkhazia

The newspaper "Izvestia" reported on Thursday that Aslan Bzhaniya, the leader of the breakaway region of Abkhazia from Georgia, stated that Russia intends to build a naval base on the Black Sea coast in the area. This statement comes just one day after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Bzhaniya, who has declared himself president of the Russian-backed separatist region, announced that an agreement has been signed to establish a permanent naval base in Ochamchira. Bzhaniya told Izvestia: "We have signed an agreement, and in the near future, there will be a permanent base for the Russian Navy in the Ochamchira region." He added: "All of this aims to enhance the defense capabilities of both Russia and Abkhazia, and this type of cooperation will continue." Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and the breakaway South Ossetia region in 2008 after Russian forces repelled Georgia's attempt to regain South Ossetia in a five-day war that ended on August 12, 2008. The Wall Street Journal mentioned that Russia has withdrawn the majority of its fleet in the Black Sea from its main base in Crimea, which it annexed earlier, due to Ukrainian attacks. No comment has yet been issued by Russia.