Publication: N23 / Review Period: August 1-31, 2024

The review is being prepared within the framework of the Roadmap to the Kremlin's Policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region project. The purpose of the review is to provide readers with information about the main events and trends in the occupied regions of Georgia. The review is a monthly publication and will be useful for decision-makers, public employees, media representatives and other people interested in the developments that take place in the occupied regions of Georgia.

Abkhazia

Scandalous Protocol

On August 29, a protocol of a scandalous meeting was disseminated on the Abkhaz social media. The meeting between the de facto President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, and the Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration, Dmitry Kozak, who supervises the direction of the occupied regions, took place on August 19, in Moscow. The protocol is dated August 28 and is a kind of an ultimatum to Sokhumi. The protocol contains four main points and is signed by Kozak.  

The first point states that Russia suspends aid to Abkhazia until the latter fulfills the following obligations: ratification of agreements on the recognition and enforcement of court and arbitration decisions on economic matters; entry into force of the agreement on the execution of investment projects on the territory of Abkhazia by Russian legal entities and lifting restrictions on the commercial real estate market for Russian investors (adoption of the so-called law on apartments).

As per the second point, electricity supplies to Abkhazia during the autumn-winter period will be carried out exclusively at commercial prices.

According to the third point, Bzhania committed to provide information to Moscow by September 20, 2024, about those “deputies” of the Abkhaz parliament and the leaders of the Abkhaz opposition who spoke out against the consideration of the so-called law on apartments in the Abkhaz parliament, in order to deprive them of Russian citizenship. The actions of the “deputies” is assessed as causing damage to the interests of Russia and the development of Russian-Abkhaz relations.

The fourth point is to minimize contacts between Russian MPs with their Abkhaz coutnerparts.

Interestingly, Bzhania's press office did not deny the protocol, however, stated that Bzhania "did not undertake any obligations to provide information to anyone about MPs and opposition leaders.” They considered this point the most scandalous in Abkhazia, because it provides for the punishment of those people who did not support the initiative of the de facto government. The so-called law on apartments was supposed to be adopted by the de facto parliament in July, but due to internal opposition, the "law" was withdrawn, which apparently was considered Bzhania’s weakness. Moscow has long been demanding to grant Russian citizens the right to buy real estate on the territory of Abkhazia, however there are fears in the occupied region that the alienation of real estate will threaten Abkhazia's demography and “sovereignty.”

There is a widespread opinion in Abkhazia that Moscow's pressure on Bzhania could be due to the rapprochement between Tbilisi and Moscow. Also, dissatisfaction with Bzhania's policy is said to be the reason for the pressure from Moscow, since Bzhania failed to fulfill Russia's demands. In this context, it is interesting that the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, did not congratulate the de facto government of Abkhazia on the day of the recognition of independence. The mentioned fact was considered as a kind of expression of Moscow's displeasure.

Fire Breaks Out at the Gali Landfill

The fire at the landfill in the village of Shashikuara has not been fully extinguished till now. The fire broke out on August 18. Mobilization of additional equipment was needed to extinguish the fire which spread over 4 hectares. The total area of ​​the landfill is 9 hectares. The landfill was supposed to temporarily serve the Sokhumi region from 2019. A total of 1,200-1,500 cubic meters of garbage is brought to the landfill annually which environmentally challenges the local population. As a temporarily solution to the problem, the so-called administrations of the cities of Sokhumi and Gali agreed on the transportation of household waste from the Shashikuara landfill to a landfill under construction in the village of Vladimirovka (Gulripshi district) by the end of the year. 

Fire at the Landfill

Sergey Shamba about the Navy Port in Ochamchire

The de facto Foreign Minister of Abkhazia, Sergey Shamba, gave an interview to the Russian news agency TASS. According to Shamba, “No (Russian) naval base is planned to be established in Ochamchire.” As he stated, border patrol boats are stationed in the port and the de facto republic is ready for any turn of events. As reported on October 4, 2023, after a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Aslan Bzhania in Sochi, a permanent basing point of the Russian Naval Fleet is planned to be established in Ochamchire.

According to Shamba, the Black Sea is again becoming a region of tension, NATO naval ships and reconnaissance aircraft are increasingly appearing there, which causes dissatisfaction and caution in the de facto government as well.

Recently, there have been reports in the Western media about the construction of new infrastructure in the port of Ochamchire. At this stage, it is difficult to say to what extent the new infrastructure is related to the construction of a new naval base, but it is a fact that some works are being observed in the port area during 2024.

Aslan Bzhania Meets with a Government Official 

During his visit to Moscow, Aslan Bzhania met with the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Government, Alexander Novak. Novak supervises the occupied regions in the Russian government. According to Bzhania’s press service, the meeting discussed the issues of socio-economic development, cooperation in the field of investment and energy supply to Abkhazia. As a rule, the press office releases little information about Bzhania’s visits to Moscow.

Meeting Between Aslan Bzhania and Alexander Novak

New Old “Minister”

On August 6, Aslan Bzhania appointed Sergey Shamba, a veteran Abkhaz politician and the Secretary of the de facto Security Council, as de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs. The position of “minister” has been vacant since May 7, when Bzhania dismissed Inal Ardzinba. According to widespread opinion in Abkhazia, Bzhania has been convincing Shamba to take the post of “minister” which he held twice in the past for a total of 13 years. Shamba was the “Minister” from May 1997 to July 2004 and from December 2004 to February 2010.

The de facto Vice President, Badra Gunba, introduced Shamba at the “Ministry” on August 7. Shamba was born in 1951. He graduated from the Tbilisi State Pedagogical Institute, Faculty of History in 1973. Since the 1990s, he has been actively involved in the separatist movement and has held a number of high-level positions in the de facto government. He twice participated in illegitimate presidential elections. Since 2020, he has been the Secretary of the de facto Security Council.

On August 9, shortly after the appointment, Shamba assigned Maxim Gvinjia and Daur Kove as “Ambassadors of Special Assignments.” Gvinjia was Deputy to Shamba when the latter was Minister, and became Minister (2010-2011) after Shamba’s resignation. Daur Kove was also Minister (2016-2021) and was replaced by Inal Ardzinba in 2021.

New “Secretary of the Security Council”

On August 6, after appointing Shamba as the de facto Foreign Minister, Bzhania appointed his comrade Raul Lolua as the Secretary of the de facto Security Council. Lolua participated in the 1992-1993 war in Abkhazia, and was involved in the Gali events in May 1998. In 2008, he headed the Anti-Terrorist Center and together with the Russian Armed Forces participated in a military operation in the Kodori Valley. It is interesting that a few months earlier, his candidacy was not supported for the position of head of the so-called administration of the Gudauta region. Bzhania himself nominated Lolua to the new position on August 7.

New „Head of the Security Service“

On August 7, Bzhania appointed Vice-Colonel Dmitry Kuchuberia as Head of the so-called State Security Service. Before that, Kuchuberia was the Deputy Head of the Service. On July 26, Bzhania dismissed the then Head of the Service, Temur Akhiba, „in connection with his transfer to another position.“ On the same day, Akhiba was appointed as Deputy Secretary of the so-called Security Council. Kuchuberia is known for pulling himself up on a bar with one hand 32 times and got into the Guinness Book of Records. Immediately after the appointment, Kuchuberia started distributing positions among his reliable personnel.

New Head of the Russian Border Division

On August 20, a new Head of the Border Division of the Russian Federal Security Service, Major General Sergey Shchedrin, was introduced to the Prime Minister of the de facto Republic of Abkhazia, Alexander Ankvab. Shchedrin replaced Andrey Kudimov, who has been occupying this position since 2021. The Russian Border Division ensures the security of the occupied region on the occupation line and is responsible for the „borderization“ process.

Meeting Between Sergey Shchedrin and Alexander Ankvab

Fight Against „Illegal Migration“

On August 17, the Security Service of the de facto Republic of Abkhazia „suspressed the channel of illegal migration of foreign citizens to Abkhazia“ and arrested three Georgian citizens, residents of the village of Otobaya (occupied Gali district). According to the de facto agency, two Georgian citizens detained in the village of Meore Otobaia, Remiko Chitanava and Murtaz Chitanava, own so-called residency permits of Abkhazia. As per the service, these Georgian citizens helped others to ilegally cross the so-called border.

In addition, the de facto agency reports that in August 2024, Archil Sakania helped two Russian citizens, Dmitry Denisov and Alexander Luzenin, to cross the „border“ and enter the occupied Abkhazia from Russia. They allegedly intended to move to the territory controlled by the central government of Georgia.

The so-called service also reported that there has been an increase in the number of cases of “illegal” transfer of members of “criminal structures” from Georgia and Turkey to the de facto republic. The Federal Security Service of Russia and the Border Division of the so-called Security Service arrested 13 people, including citizens of Jordan, Turkey, Algeria and Palestine.

Critical Statements of the Former “Ambassador”

The former “Ambassador” of the occupied Abkhazia to Syria, Bagrat Khutaba, openly criticized the de facto government. He is currently the Special Representative of the de facto President to the Middle East. However, according to him, this position does not actually exist. As Khutaba stated, Sokhumi's foreign activity towards the Middle East has decreased.

Tskhinvali Region

The Last Georgian-Language School in the Akhalgori District

The Georgian-language secondary school in the occupied Akhalgori district graduated its last class. Starting next year, graduates will receive Russian-language school certificates. The decision to close Georgian-language schools was made back in 2017, by the then de facto president, Anatoly Bibilov. The closure of Georgian-language schools was gradual. First, the primary grades were cancelled, and then one grade per year. In 2024, the last students graduated from the Georgian-language school.

The number of local Georgian population has greatly decreased since 2019, when the so-called Odzi/Mosabruni border checkpoint was closed. Many young people also left the occupied region after the restriction was placed on movement.

Tskhinvali "Diplomacy" Plans

On August 2, the de facto President of the Tskhinvali region, Alan Gagloyev, met with the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs, Akhsar Jioev, who reported to Gagloyev information about his visit to Nicaragua where he attended the 45th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution. The Russian State Duma Speaker, Vyacheslav Volodin, and the Belarusian Prime Minister, Roman Golovchenko, also participated in the festive events. Jioev held a special press conference about the visit. He also stated that, if appropriate circumstances exist, Tskhinvali intends to open embassies in Nicaragua and Venezuela. Compared to Sokhumi, Tskhinvali engages in a passive "foreign policy," which can be explained by limited financial and human resources. In addition, Tskhinvali's ultimate goal is integration into Russia, while Sokhumi aspires to develop into an “independent state.”

Jioev about Georgia’s Raprochement with Russia

According to Jioev, the possible settlement of diplomatic relations between Russia and Georgia will not harm the interests of “South Ossetia.” “Russia always emphasizes that any action in relation to Georgia will not harm the interests of South Ossetia. Russian colleagues recognize us as an independent state, so we are sure that no decision will be made without taking into account the interests of South Ossetia,” he said. Against the background of improving relations between Tbilisi and Moscow, doubts arose in Sokhumi and Tskhinvali about reaching a possible deal at their expense. That is why statements of similar content have become more frequent in the occupied regions.

Marking August Historical Dates 

In August, the occupied regions mark a number of historical dates, which Russia and the occupied regions use for propaganda purposes.

The Tskhinvali region marked the 16th anniversary of the August 2008 war between Russia and Georgia. The most important events took place on August 8, which, according to Russian propaganda, is the date when the Georgian Armed Forces invaded the Tskhinvali region. Georgia’s move was followed by Russia's response - „forcing Georgia to peace.“ On this date, mourning events, photo exhibitions, etc. were held in the region. The de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia issued a statement.

On August 14, Abkhazia marked the 32nd anniversary of the beginning of the War in Abkhazia which in Abkhazia is referred to as the „patriotic war of the people of Abkhazia.“ On this date, traditionally, the memorial of those died in the war was honored and flowers were laid at the graves of Vladislav Ardzinba and Sergey Bagapsh.

Aslan Bzhania at the Memorial to Those Died in the War

On August 26, the occupied regions marked the day of the recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and the „Republic of South Ossetia“ by Russia. The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, congratulated Aslan Bzhania and Alan Gagloyev on the date during a telephone conversation. Medvedev was the then president of Russia when Moscow recognized the independence of the separatist regions. Bzhania and Gagloyev also issued special appeals on this day.

As part of the ceremonial events, the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Tskhinvali region, Akhsar Jioev, also visited Sokhumi. During a meeting with his Abkhaz counterpart, Sergey Shamba, Jioev signed the 2024-2025 consultations plan between de facto Foreign Ministries.

Signing the Consultation Plan

It is noteworthy that this year Vladimir Putin did not congratulate the occupied regions on this day, nor were there many congratulations from Russian politicians. The occupied regions suspect that such actions by Russia are part of Moscow's deliberate policy, which in the context of rapprochement with Tbilisi, especially in light of the ongoing election process in Georgia, is trying not to give the opposition an additional trump card against the Georgian Dream Government.

August War Estimates

On August 14, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations, Dmitry Polyansky, cited sections of the August 13 statement of Georgian Dream, where Georgian Dream assessed the 2008 war as the culmination of numerous attempts by the United National Movement Administration to „return the Russian Army to Georgia“ with the support of outsource patrons. At a press conference held at the UN headquarters, where the UN Security Council discussed the issue of Georgia, a Russian diplomat repeated the narrative of Georgian Dream. He read excerpts from the statement of the Georgian Dream political council, which accuses Saakashvili and the National Movement authorities of starting the war.

Nikolai Patrushev, the Aide to President Putin, also repeated the Georgian Dream narrative. In an interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia, Patrushev called the 2008 Russian-Georgian war „Saakashvili's military adventure.“ In 2008, during the war, Patrushev was the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

Contrary to the statements of Russian officials, members of the UN Security Council call on Russia to withdraw its troops from Georgia and cancel the recognition of the occupied territories. On August 14, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Malta to the UN, Francesca Gatt, made a statement on behalf of the UN Security Council members - France, Japan, Malta, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, the USA, as well as future members - Denmark and Greece, in which she called on Russia to „immediately withdraw its military and security forces from the territory of Georgia,“ as well as „to cancel the recognition of the so-called independence of the regions of Georgia - Abkhazia and Tskhinvali.  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia also commented on the statement made at the UN, where they called "Georgia's territorial integrity" cliched phrase and accused some representatives of the international community of engagement. A similar statement was made in Tskhinvali as well.