Interfax news agency reported on January 24, quoting unnamed source from Russia’s Southern Military District, that tactical-operational missile unit with Tochka-U rockets had been deployed in the Russian military base in South Ossetia.

Tochka-U (SS-21 Scarab B) is a short-range tactical ballistic missile with maximum range of 120 kilometers.

The source was quoted that “the Georgian special services have been informed about the presence of the rockets in South Ossetia, which are capable to effectively repel any aggression from Tbilisi.”

The same news agency reported in December, also quoting unnamed Russian military source, that Russia had deployed Smerch (Tornado) multiple-launch rocket systems in vicinity of Tskhinvali. Tbilisi said at the time that it was part of Moscow’s “aggressive policy” against Georgia, posing threat to the entire region.