The Georgian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday protested the deployment of Russian S-300 air-defense systems on the territory of unrecognized republic of Abkhazia, RIA Novosti reported.
Russian Air Force head Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin said earlier on Wednesday S-300 systems had been placed in Abkhazia to protect the airspace of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. He did not say how many S-300s were deployed.
The ministry described the Russian move as "extremely dangerous and provocative" and threatening "not only the Black Sea region, but European security as a whole."
It said the purpose of Russia's action was "absolutely incomprehensible."
Georgian Security Council head Eka Tkeshelashvili said Russia was "further tightening its military control over Georgia."
"Instead of pulling out its troops from Georgian territory, Russia is augmenting its military control in these regions," she said.
Georgia's state minister for reintegration, Deputy Prime Minister Temur Yakobashvili, said earlier on Wednesday the deployment of S-300 systems threatened the balance of forces in the region. He said that Russia's actions were also aimed against NATO and said Georgia would protest the S-300 deployment in international organizations.