A Russian leader has told Russian media that Russia will establish a naval base in separatist Georgian Abkhazia.

According to Aslan Bzhania, the Moscow-backed Black Sea region will soon host a “permanent point of deployment” for Russia.

The attack comes as Ukraine increases its attacks on Russia’s Black Sea fleet. The Crimean fleet’s headquarters was struck by Kyiv two weeks ago.

Defending Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would be a flagrant violation, according to its foreign ministry.

A Russian military base already exists in Abkhazia, which borders Russia in the north-western corner of Georgia.

From 1992-93, the region fought a war of secession with Georgia and declared independence in 1999, but has received little international recognition.

In 2008, Moscow recognised Georgia as an independent state following the Georgian-Russian war. Abkhazia is occupied by Russia, according to Georgia.

As a result of the new base being built in the Ochamchire district, Mr Bzhania said both Russia and Abkhazia would be able to boost their defence capabilities and “protect their fundamental interests”. As he told Izvestia, “security is the most important thing.”

Earlier this week, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed support for Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

High-resolution satellite images show that at least 17 Russian vessels have relocated to Novorossiysk from Sevastopol.