Russian-Ossetian troops

According to Gassaev, a corresponding agreement is being prepared for signing. After the agreement comes into effect, the Russian side will recognize active military service in the republic‘s armed forces and the South Ossetian military service record cards.

As Gassaev noted, all changes in the organizational structure will be made by the militaries of the republic upon signing the agreement.

‘Thus, the Defence Ministry will preserve its combat sub-units. This is our firm position,’ South Ossetian RES News Agency quoted Gassaev as saying.

According to Gassaev, the South Ossetian leadership seeks recognition of military grades and length of service in the national army when taking up service in the Russian Army.

The plans to include South Ossetian Army’s sub-units into the Russian Armed Forces were voiced back in March 2015, when Moscow and Tskhinval signed the Treaty on Alliance and Integration. Namely, as it is pointed out in Paragraph 2, Article 2 of this Treaty, Russia would ensure South Ossetia’s defense and security and for that purpose ‘separate sub-units of the Armed Forces and the republic’s security agencies shall be included in the Russian Federation’s Armed Forces and security agencies upon the sides’ consent.”

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