SUKHUMI, August 20 (RIA Novosti) - The armed forces of Georgia's self-proclaimed republic of Abkhazia have begun military exercises, a deputy defense minister of the republic said Monday.

Abkhazia proclaimed its independence from Georgia in 1993, after a yearlong war, but has not been recognized by the international community.

Anatoly Zaitsev said four brigades, two separate reserve regiments and 12 military units would take part in the exercises, which will end August 24 with range practice.

Russia's relations with Abkhazia have angered Georgian authorities that are seeking to regain control over the unrecognized republic. Georgia has accused Russia of fueling separatist sentiments in Abkhazia.

The situation in the South Caucasus region deteriorated after Georgia accused Russia of violating its airspace and dropping a missile August 6 at a radar station near the border with another breakaway republic, South Ossetia.

The missile did not explode, and Russia has denied the charges as a provocation to disrupt peace efforts in the conflict zone, where it deploys peacekeepers.