Caucasus 2008 were large-scale military maneuvers conducted by Russia in July 2008 close to its border with Georgia.[1][2][3] The main forces involved were from the 58th Army from the North Caucasus Military District, and the Black Sea Fleet.[1] The exercises were almost concurrent to joint US–Georgian military exercises dubbed Immediate Response 2008.[3] At the time, Russia's stated objective for Caucasus 2008 was to improve combat skills in fighting terrorism in mountainous terrain, Russian tanks subsequently entered Georgia in August, starting the Russo-Georgian War.[1]
They were held in several regions of the Southern Federal District, including Chechnya, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Karachay–Cherkessia.[citation needed] The units involved were from the North Caucasus Military District, mainly the 58th Army, the 4th Air Force Army, Interior Ministry troops, and border guards.[citation needed] Airborne troops involved included the 56th Airborne Assault Regiment, which conducted parachute assault exercises.[3] There was also a naval element, involving ships from Russia's Black Sea Fleet and the Novorossiysk Naval Base.[3]
Russia sought to minimise the true scale of Caucasus 2008, claiming that it involved 8,000 military personnel, 700 tanks and armored personnel carriers, and 30 aircraft;[1][3] in fact, the actual numbers were significantly larger.[1] Following the maneuvers, the forces remained in place and were expanded to 80,000 personnel, of which 60,000 later took part in war operations.[1]
See also
References
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