TSKHINVALI. Feb 5 (Interfax) - The 4th Russian Military Base's air defense forces deployed in South Ossetia will be in charge of protecting South Ossetia's airspace, in line with a protocol on improving the air defense system in South Ossetia signed in Moscow with Russian Deputy Defense Minister Arkady Bakhin on January 28, acting South Ossetian Defense Minister Valery Yakhnovets said at a press conference in Tskhinvali on Tuesday.
"The document signed in Moscow is aimed at developing interaction between the two countries on air defense matters and expands an intergovernmental agreement on a united Russian military base in South Ossetia. Any aerial vehicle violating South Ossetia's airspace will be destroyed on legal grounds," Yakhnovets said.
The 4th Military Base has modern equipment ensuring reliable protection of South Ossetia's airspace, he said.
"This is especially important in the run-up to the Sochi Olympics," he said.
The South Ossetian Defense Ministry does not possess enough resources to properly control the republic's airspace, Yakhnovets said. "This is why the 4th Military Base will deal with this matter," he said.
The South Ossetian Defense Ministry and the 4th Russian Military Base are cooperating closely at all levels, he said.
"Joint work is being done uninterrupted. Joint parades, conferences of commanders at various levels, and joint exercises are held, and joint command centers are being set up. We perfectly understand that, in case of massive aggression, the republic can be protected only through common efforts," he said.