On 11 August 2008, Russian paratroopers, deployed in Abkhazia, occupied the city of Zugdidi and carried out raids against military bases deep in western Georgia.[19] That day, Russian forces, meeting virtually no resistance, entered the town of Senaki and seized the military base.[2] Georgian Deputy Defense Minister Batu Kutelia said, that about 30 armored personnel carriers and more than 20 trucks with Russian soldiers entered Senaki and took control of the military base.[29] Russian Defense Ministry announced that "operations" were carried out in Senaki. "Operations aimed to prevent new attack of Georgian artillery against peacekeepers of Russia and South Ossetia," the report said. The source insisted that they aimed to prevent mobilization of reservists.[30] Shota Utiashvili, spokesman for Interior Ministry of Georgia said, that Russian peacekeepers and Abkhaz separatists had entered Khurcha village of Zugdidi District.