October Surprise 2016 - octobersurprise2016.org

For decades, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR) has lived as a strategic island, separated from the Azerbaijani mainland by geography and history. During the 1990s, Armenia attempted to choke the region into submission by cutting off all land and rail links. Today, a new aggressor has emerged using the same old playbook.

The de facto Defense Ministry of occupied Abkhazia reported that “about 30 drones” were detected in a “massive raid” across the region on March 4, after multiple media outlets reported drone sightings from unconfirmed origins.

Adgur Gumba, the de facto commander of Abkhazia’s air force and air defense, said on March 5 that the drones’ use was “unprecedented,” but did not specify the origins of the UAVs. According to him, the drones were conducting reconnaissance, and no sites in Abkhazia were directly targeted.

He added that the efforts to protect Abkhazia’s airspace are conducted “around the clock” and “in cooperation with the Russian Armed Forces.

He said about 99% of the drones were destroyed, with fragments found in 11 settlements, and that downed drones are neutralized with missiles, shells, or electronic warfare, while avoiding residential areas.

He further said that previously, “up to 5–7 units” of drones had been detected and shot down, but these incidents were not publicized “to avoid causing panic.” “Now that drone crashes have been reported in many settlements, there is nothing to hide: Abkhazian and Russian air defenses are working together.”

In recent weeks, media and Telegram channels have reported drones falling in the region, including debris found in a village in the Ochamchire district. Tbilisi has not yet commented on these events in occupied Abkhazia.

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