The Occupied Tskhinvali Region
Military Aid from Russia
Source: sputnik-ossetia.ru
On 14 January 2026, the de facto Ministry of Defense of so-called South Ossetia reported that its “defense minister,” Russian officer Yuri Yarovitsky, had paid his first official working visit of the year to Moscow. As a result of the visit, “South Ossetia” received another batch of military assistance from the Russian Federation.
According to the statement regarding the fact, prior to the delivery of the military equipment to the occupied region, Yarovitsky inspected the facilities designated for its deployment and storage. He also assessed the readiness of local specialists to ensure the proper maintenance and operation of said equipment. It was announced that the next tranche of Russian military aid is expected to be delivered in March–April 2026.
On 23 January, a handover ceremony was held for military equipment and materiel delivered from Moscow. The event was attended by the de facto president, Alan Gagloev, Yarovitsky, and Russia’s so-called ambassador to the occupied Tskhinvali region, Marat Kulakhmetov.
Images posted by Russian Sputnik and other local media outlets show a portion of the Russian military equipment that was transferred: two ORSIS T-5000 sniper rifles, fitted with suppressors and standard optics; three AK-74 assault rifles equipped with suppressors; one night-vision monocular; twenty logistics cargo trucks; one GAZ minibus; two fuel tankers; and three UAZ high-mobility vehicles (pickup trucks) – two of which are mounted with machine guns. The shipment also contained various items of military clothing and gear, including gloves, boots, ballistic goggles, T-shirts, socks, and neck warmers.
On 27 January, the weapons and military-purpose equipment delivered from Moscow were blessed by a priest using holy water. The ritual was conducted by Simon (Ludvig) Gagloev, a priest of the so-called “South Ossetian–Alanian Eparchy.” The blessing ceremony was attended by the de facto minister of defense and his deputies.
Source: alaniamil.org
A New Group of Conscripts
On January 15, a new cohort of conscripts drafted under mandatory service completed preparations for their oath-taking ceremony. De facto Minister of Defense Yuri Yarovitsky, personally inspected the preparations for the event. The conscripts had also taken the basic “Junior Fighter” training course. The oath-taking ceremony was held on January 16 and was attended by de facto President Alan Gagloev, along with other Ossetian senior officials.
Source: sputnik-ossetia.ru
Training of the Honor Guard Company
On January 14, the Honor Guard Company conducted training exercises at a firing range. Both conscripts serving under mandatory service and contract servicemen participated in the drills. According to the de facto ministry, during the “planned” training, the personnel practiced live-fire shooting from three positions: standing, kneeling, and prone. Instructors noted that such exercises enhance soldiers’ confidence, and that participants regularly demonstrate a solid performance.
Engineering and Live-Fire Drills
On 26 January, new recruits from the first company of the “Special Purpose Battalion” took part in training exercises. According to the de facto ministry, the servicemen were divided into two groups. The first group underwent military training in engineering tasks, where the recruits practiced the placement of anti-personnel mines, and the second group conducted live-fire exercises and practiced “sniper” skills. The statement regarding the fact also noted that the servicemen had completed medical training as part of the exercise program.
Exercises at the 4th Military Base
January 2026 was an intensive training period for the 4th Military Base of the 58th Army of Russia’s Southern Military District. On January 21, Russian servicemen conducted exercises focusing on operating military equipment and maneuvering on difficult terrain. According to a statement released by the Southern Military District, Russian troops also practiced operating armored vehicles in urban conditions. The drills were described as one of the final stages in the training cycle of the base’s personnel. Infantry-fighting BMP-3 vehicles were utilized during the exercise.
Source: sputnik-ossetia.ru
On January 22, servicemen of the Russian 4th Military Base deployed satellite and other communications infrastructure between command posts and units. A statement regarding the fact noted that communications specialists from the Russian base had trained in electronic warfare methods and techniques “under conditions as close as possible to actual combat.”
On January 23, Russian servicemen also took part in tactical exercises conducted in the occupied Tskhinvali region. The Southern Military District reported that troops trained in both trenches and urban environments. The statement emphasized that this type of training differs from standard preparation, as servicemen are required to master firing techniques under conditions close to real combat.
Source: sputnik-ossetia.ru
Support for Ethnic Ossetians Fighting against Ukraine
On January 8, Sputnik reported that the de facto president, Alan Gagloev, had met with the commander of the “Alania – North Ossetia” unit, Ruslan Ostaev, whose fighters are engaged in the war against Ukraine. According to Ostaev, more than half of the unit’s personnel are “South Ossetians,” and he expressed gratitude to Gagloev for his continued support.
In November 2025, Alan Gagloev appointed special representatives tasked with providing assistance to Ossetians participating in the war in Ukraine, as well as to their family members. Under his decree, the so-called Republic of South Ossetia is expected to enhance the provision of systematic support to participants in the “special military operation.”
Occupied Abkhazia
Recruitment of Conscripts
The 2025 autumn conscription period continued in January 2026. On January 17, another group of conscripts took the oath. According to the de facto Ministry of Defense of Abkhazia, the recruits had completed the “Junior Fighter” basic training course and were subsequently assigned to various military units.
Military Training Exercises
On 29 January, Sputnik-Abkhazia reported that the airborne forces of Abkhazia’s “armed forces” had conducted a helicopter insertion drill. The exercise involved the aviation group of the so-called State Security Service of Abkhazia. A total of 10 servicemen, including a pilot and a navigator, were on board the MI-8 helicopter. They carried out a simulated rapid response operation and an airborne landing in the Gali district.
Source: sputnik-abkhazia.ru
Operational Readiness Activities
On January 28, the de facto Ministry of Defense reported that operational readiness activities were underway in accordance with the “plan.” The training is intended to improve coordination among agencies within the so-called armed forces of Abkhazia. The exercise was overseen by the de facto defense minister, Vladimir Anua, and the Chief of the General Staff, Russian officer Vladimir Savchenko. The chief of the Training Command Staff, Vadim Kamkia, and the secretary of the de facto Security Council, Raul Lolua, were also present.
Lolua stated the following: “The situation surrounding Abkhazia remains unstable. We see that Georgia continues to arm itself. The country is continuing its path toward NATO membership, which is a hostile bloc for us. Therefore, the relevance of constant training is very important. The (de facto) Ministry of Defense continues to have this situation under control… In the event of an outbreak of war, all security agencies will come under the command of the Ministry of Defense.”