On February 7, Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, addressed the recent incident involving the seizure of explosives in Georgia, attributing it to a pattern of destabilization efforts in the post-Soviet space. She referred to the incident where 14 kilograms of explosives were seized, allegedly intended for export to the Russian city of Voronezh from Georgia.

Zakharova pointed out that Georgia's territory has been exploited before by entities seeking to destabilize the post-Soviet region. She recalled instances where Georgia served as a transit point for weapons, ammunition, money, and drugs during the period of international terrorism in the North Caucasus. She emphasized the need to remember the historical context, highlighting past attempts to use Georgia as a conduit for terrorism.

According to Zakharova, the recent attempt to transport explosive material into Russia through Georgia represents a continuation of such destabilizing efforts. She suggested that certain external forces, including the Ukrainian side, may be involved in the incident, alleging that Western backers support them.

Zakharova recalled the role of certain international actors in facilitating terrorism during the 1990s and stressed the importance of not forgetting past provocations. She implied that Georgia's historical experiences should serve as a reminder of the dangers posed by external interference and the need to remain vigilant against such threats.

As previously reported by Caucasus Watch, the State Security Service of Georgia (SSS) announced the seizure of explosive devices and substances, including C-4, in an operation. Two electric car batteries containing six special explosive devices were confiscated. These devices had electronic detonators and timers, indicating high-level craftsmanship for potential large-scale damage. The explosives originated from Ukraine, passing through Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey before entering Georgia. They were intended for transport to Russia, particularly Voronezh, with one container destined for Tbilisi intercepted at the Georgia-Russia border. Seven Georgian, three Ukrainian, and two Armenian citizens have been charged with offenses related to importing, transporting, and planting explosives. The orchestrator, Andrei Sharashidze, a former candidate for deputy from Georgia, was identified as a Ukrainian citizen. The SSS is actively investigating to identify individuals involved and their intended targets, suspecting a concerted effort to implicate Georgia in planned terrorist acts.