In October 2023, the de facto president of Abkhazia announced that a new Russian naval base would be constructed in Ochamchire as a "permanent deployment site" for a portion of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, as reported by SOVA.
Although these plans have not been confirmed by Russia and only minimal activity was observed in the months following the announcement, satellite images analyzed by Bellingcat show that construction activity has accelerated since early 2024, with numerous buildings and facilities being erected around the perimeter.
Experts suggest that the base will hold strategic significance for Russia, potentially serving as a secure refuge for the Black Sea Fleet, which has been subjected to Ukrainian drone attacks since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
After a combined aerial and naval attack on Sevastopol in the latter half of October 2022, Russia relocated most of its fleet to Novorossiysk. Novorossiysk also faced similar attacks in August 2023, and in May and July 2024. Immediately following the July attack, open-source researcher H. I. Sutton (@CovertShores on X) noted that a Russian tugboat had moved from Novorossiysk to the Ochamchire base. Although the base had long hosted a group of FSB border guard vessels, this marks the first Russian Navy ship to utilize the base.
Recent changes observed at the Ochamchire base include the appearance of several new foundations, land clearing for development, and the construction of a new perimeter that will significantly expand the base's area. East of the harbor, where railway tracks enter the military base, approximately nine acres of land have been cleared, and a large concrete foundation has been constructed in recent weeks.
In the eastern part of the base area, a new road has been constructed along the perimeter between the base and the city of Ochamchire. Judging by the shadows in satellite images, a fence has been erected along this road, indicating a substantial expansion of the base's territory.
The presence of a Russian naval base could impact Georgia's plans to develop a modern deep-water port in Anaklia, about 30 km south of Ochamchire. This multi-billion-dollar project aims to make Georgia an independent international transit hub for goods between China and the European Union.
