Russian-backed unit by ex-Prosecutor General may become a threat to Georgia, former military official

The military unit being formed by former Georgian Prosecutor General Otar Romanov-Partskhaladze with the assistance of Russian security services could eventually become a source of serious problems even for Georgia’s current authorities, former Defence Forces Chief Vladimer Chachibaia has said.

Chachibaia on Thursday stressed personnel gaining combat experience in Ukraine could later be used for various purposes, including potentially entering Georgia to carry out provocative activities.

“Partskhaladze has said that he spent nine months as part of the Arbat unit. The Arbat unit was initially formed on the basis of a club whose leaders were of Armenian origin and also had links to the criminal underworld. The unit was later used in Armenia by Russian security services to destabilise the situation,” Chachibaia said.

He warned that the unit currently being formed by Partskhaladze with the support of Russian security services could eventually become a problem for Georgia’s current government.

“Most likely, once formed, this unit will gain combat experience on the front line in Ukraine. Given the intensity of the fighting there, up to 60% of its personnel could be killed. However, those who gain combat experience could later be used for various purposes. They could enter Georgia and carry out provocative activities, and that could become a serious problem for Georgia,” Chachibaia said.

A military unit called Georgievsk has been established in Russia to fight against Ukraine. It is led by Partskhaladze, Georgia’s former Prosecutor General, who has been described as a “veteran of the special military operation.”