ULAN BATOR, August 26 (RIA Novosti) - Russia has reduced the number of its personnel stationed at military bases in Abkhazia and South Ossetia to 1,700 in each republic, the chief of the General Staff said on Wednesday.

Gen. Nikolai Makarov said that it was originally planned to increase personnel numbers to 4,800-5,000 but then "we decided that 1,700 should be enough."

He added that these personnel levels had been reached three to four months ago.

Moscow, which recognized the independence of the former Georgian regions exactly a year ago, has said it will never go back on its decision.

"For our country, this decision is irreversible," President Dmitry Medvedev said.

So far the only other country to have recognized the two republics is Nicaragua.

Some 162 civilians and 67 Russian service personnel, including peacekeepers, were killed when Georgia attacked South Ossetia last August 8. Russia reacted swiftly, expelling Georgian troops from the region. It subsequently recognized both South Ossetia and Abkhazia on August 26.