Publication:  N38 / Review period:  February 1-28, 2022

Overview of the Kremlin Policy in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region is being prepared within the framework of the project - Roadmap to Kremlin's Policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. The purpose of the publication is to review important developments related to Russia’s policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. The review is a monthly publication and will be useful for everyone – decision-makers, public employees, media representatives and other people who are interested in the Kremlin policy in the occupied regions of Georgia.

Inal Ardzinba's Visit to Moscow

On February 8, 2022, the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia, Inal Ardzinba, paid a working visit to the Russian Federation. In Moscow, he held a number of meetings with representatives of Russian state agencies and other officials. The working visit of the “Minister” of Foreign Affairs ended on February 21. This visit could have been considered quite successful, however, the military aggression launched by Russia in Ukraine will cardinally change Inal Ardzinba’s plans.

Members of the United Russia Party in Tskhinvali

On February 8, the de facto President of the Tskhinvali region, Anatoly Bibilov, hosted representatives of the United Russia ruling party, who arrived in the region to attend a session of the United Ossetia party. The head of the Russian delegation was the Secretary of the General Council of the party, Andrey Turchak. The session of the United Ossetia party nominated Anatoly Bibilov as a candidate in the “presidential elections” scheduled for April 10.

Meetings in Russia

Kristina Ozgan Meets with Evgeny Grabchak

The de facto Minister of Economy of Abkhazia, Kristina Ozgan, during her working visit to Moscow, met with the Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, Evgeny Grabchak.

The meeting discussed the issues of cooperation in the field of energy, in particular:  Supply of electricity to Abkhazia from Russia; Installation program of individual devices for commercial metering of consumed electricity in Sokhumi; Modernization of the existing energy infrastructure of Abkhazia and reconstruction of facilities in disrepair. The Russian military aggression in Ukraine calls into question the issue of the rehabilitation of the Abkhaz energy sector.

Meeting between Kristina Ozgan and Evgeny Grabchak. Source:  abkhazinform.com

Znaur Gasiev Meets with Konstantin Kosachev

The “Ambassador” of the Tskhinvali region to Russia, Znaur Gasiev, met with the Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council, Konstantin Kosachev. During the meeting, Mr. Kosachev assured the “Ambassador” that Russia remains a staunch supporter of the region and expresses readiness for close cooperation. The main topics of conversation were the deepening of cooperation between Russia and the Tskhinvali region, the intensification of inter-parliamentary cooperation, as well as the pre-election situation in the region. The “presidential” elections are scheduled by April 2022 in the Tskhinvali region.

Military Exercises

Military Exercises at the 7th military base in Abkhazia

• Battalion tactical groups carried out exercises at the Tsebelda military training ground. During the march, motorized infantry  repulsed attacks of subversive groups of a conditional adversary.
• Bilateral exercises were held at the Tsebelda military training ground as part of combat training. The exercises involved units of motorized infantry, artillerymen, and tankmen.
• Units of motorized infantry, artillerymen and reconnaissance carried out exercises at the Tsebelda military training ground.  As part of the exercises, servicemen destroyed subversive groups of a conditional adversary.

Other News of the 7th Military Base

• Servicemen of the military base took part in the Become a Donor campaign and donated blood. The Become a Donor campaign has become a tradition and been held for the third year in a row in Abkhazia.
• Military servicemen of the base together with servicemen of the de facto Ministry of Defence of Abkhazia, spruced up about 30 monuments, memorials and graves of Red Army soldiers.

Military Exercises at the 4th Military Base in the Tskhinvali Region

• As part of exercises at the Dzartsemi military training ground, military servicemen used Granat-1 unmanned aerial vehicles.
• Military servicemen of the Special Forces carried out exercises at the 4th military base.

Other News of the 4th Military Base

• February 1 marks the 13th anniversary of the establishment of the 4th military base. The Acting Commander of the base, Rajab Aliyev, addressed the audience during a ceremony. An exhibition of weapons and ammunition was also held.

A detailed review of the activities of the Russian Military forces in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region in February 2022 can be found here.

Cooperation in the Economy Field

Russia Will Import 150 Tons of Mimosa from Abkhazia

Mimosa export started from Abkhazia to Russia. In 2021, a total of 150 tons of mimosa were exported from Abkhazia to Russia. Approximately the same volume of export is planned this year as well. Transportation of the main part will start at the end of February and will last until the first days of March.

Tskhinvali Region Presents New Varieties of Wines at the Prodexpo Exhibition in Moscow

The 29th international food exhibition Prodexpo-2022 was held in Moscow on February 7-11. The Tskhinvali region presented its own stand for the fourth time, this time of alcoholic beverages and mineral drinks. The region won awards in three nominations.

Gasification Issue Was Discussed in Abkhazia

A delegation of contractor specialists from Russia arrived in Abkhazia. The contractor company is developing the general scheme of gasification. The parties met at the de facto Ministry of Economy and discussed issues related to the implementation of the first phase of an action plan which was approved in December last year. However, after the Russian aggression in Ukraine, the implementation of such a project is unlikely to remain a priority for Moscow.

Cooperation in the Field of Healthcare

New Doses of Sputnik Light Delivered to Abkhazia

New doses of the Sputnik Light Russian vaccine against the coronavirus were delivered to Abkhazia. The de facto Ministry of Health purchased a batch of 3000 doses of the vaccine. In addition, Russia provided 50,000 PCR tests for free to Abkhazia.

Russia Allocated a Helicopter to the Tskhinvali Region

The de facto Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Tskhinvali region received a helicopter from Russia. It will enable the region to transport patients to the “border” by a car and then take a helicopter to North Ossetia (Russia) when necessary.

Aleksander Ankvab Hosts Representatives of the Russian Pension Fund

On January 20, the de facto Prime Minister of Abkhazia, Aleksander Ankvab, hosted representatives of the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation. During the meeting, the parties discussed various issues of cooperation. Currently, a total of 28 thousand people receive Russian pensions.

Meeting with Aleksander Ankvab. Source: km-ra.org

Russia’s “Soft Power”

Tskhinvali Holds an Event Dedicated to Pushkin

On February 10, an event dedicated to the date of Pushkin's death was held in Tskhinvali. During the event, students of the “State” University and schoolchildren read their favourite poems by Pushkin, and laid flowers at his monument.

Russia Hands Over Textbooks to Abkhazia

The first stage of textbooks distribution sent by Russia to Abkhaz schools is completed. In total, 161 thousand textbooks were distributed to 153 schools in Abkhazia.

“State” University Signs an Agreement with the Russian Academy of Sciences

On February 11, the so-called State University of South Ossetia named after A. Tibilov signed an agreement with the Scientific Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Tskhinvali Region Marks Internationalist Soldiers Remembrance Day

On February 15, the Tskhinvali region commemorated Internationalist Soldiers. As part of the ceremony, flowers were laid at the memorial to the Soldiers.

Lessons of Courage in Schools of the Tskhinvali Region

On February 23, on the Defender of the Fatherland Day, the Lessons of Courage were held in schools of the Tskhinvali region. The lessons are aimed at raising the military-patriotic spirit among the young generation.

Fight for the Caucasus Children’s Competition is Over in Abkhazia

On February 22, the Fight for the Caucasus children’s competition was completed in Abkhazia. The goal of the competition was to preserve the historical memory of the Great Patriotic War.