Monthly Review

Review of Kremlin Policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region

2019 / 10 / 01

September of 2019 was outstanding with the number and diversity of conducted military exercises in Abkhazia. Russia is equipping Abkhazia with modern arms. Curators from Russia checked the progress of Russia financed projects implementation in Tskhinvali Region. Russian MPs in Tskhinvali Region are studying so-called „Ossetians Genocide“. You will be able to learn about important developments of September 2019, connected to the Kremlin’s policies in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region.

September 2019 Important Developments Shortly:

  • Curator change: Curator to Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region was changed at the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Russian Federation.
  • Curators visit: Curators visited Tskhinvali Region to monitor ongoing projects.
  • Elections: Russian President and Patriarch congratulated Raul Khajimba on winning illegitimate presidential elections.
  • Military exercises: Number of military exercises covering various directions were held in Abkhazia.
  • Cooperation in the field of security: Russia will finance modernization of Abkhazian armed forces.
  • Cooperation in the field of foreign policy: de facto Foreign Affairs Minister of Abkhazia held consultancies at the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Russia.
  • Cooperation in the field of economy: Russia tightened control over vehicle entry from Tskhinvali Region.
  • Cooperation in the field of energy: de facto Leader of Tskhinvali Region discussed the region gasification dates with „Gazprom“.
  • Cooperation with regions of Russia: Leader of Russian puppet state, self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic visited Tskhinvali Region.
  • Religion: Russian Mufti invited Abkhazian Mufti in Moscow.
  • Soft power: So-called „Ossetians Genocide“ will be studied at the State Duma of Russia.

Curator Change

On September 10, 2019, Grigory Karasin, State Secretary - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, was dismissed under the decree of Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation. On August 23, Karasin turned 70 and under the law could no longer hold office in executive branch. For years Karasin curated relations with post-soviet countries, after the war of 2008 - Abkhazian and Tskhinvali Region directions as well. At this stage, it is not clear who will substitute Karasin at the Russian Foreign Ministry to curate Abkhazian and Tskhinvali Region directions.

Curators Visit

Delegation of the North Caucasus Ministry checked construction progress

On September 10, 2019, Igor Koshin, Deputy Minister of the North Caucasus Affairs of the Russian Federation, paid working visit to Tskhinvali Region. Koshin curates directions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region at the ministry. During the visit, Koshin discussed the issues of socio-economic cooperation at the meeting with Anatoly Bibilov, de facto President. Koshin visited construction facilities under investment program. He liked construction progress, however in some cases criticized construction speed.

Filatov’s first official visit in Tskhinvali

On September 19, 2019, Aleksey Filatov, Head of the Directorate for Cross Border Cooperation of the President of the Russian Federation, together with Denis Travin, his deputy, visited Tskhinvali Region. Filatov is the Kremlin curator to Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region. This was Filatov’s first official visit in Tskhinvali since his appointment on the position on April 17, 2019. Reportedly, on June 7, 2019, two days before to illegitimate elections, Filatov paid clandestine visit to Tskhinvali. Filatov participated in the solemn ceremony dedicated to the 29th anniversary of republic declaration by Tskhinvali Region. During the visit Filatov also met with Anatoly Bibilov, de facto President of the Region and visited ongoing constructions under investment program. 

Elections

The second round of the illegitimate elections of Abkhazia held on September 8, unlike the first round, was monitored by less observers from Russia. According to de facto Central Electoral Commission, Raul Khajimba, acting de facto president, won the second round of the elections with slight advantage. On September 10, Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, congratulated Raul Khajimba  on the victory. Russian Patriarch Kirill also congratulated Khajimba.

Military Exercises

Military exercises at the 7th military base in Abkhazia

  • Motorized infantry units carried out five-day bilateral tactical exercises at Nagvalou Polygon.
  • Reconnaissance units are gathering for one-month exercises at Tsebelda Polygon.
  • Artillerists are gathering to exercises in mountainous, wooded and coastal areas. Exercises duration will be one month.
  • The base units  developed skills of shooting from rocket launcher - „Шмель“.
  • More than 2000 Servicemen surmounted 300 meters range of difficulties and thus was tested their resistance to stress.
  • Servicemen of anti-tank divisions exercised destruction of conditional enemy armoured technics at Tsebelda polygon, in the vicinity of Caucasus ridge and gorges.
  • Anti-aircraft gunners shot down up to 30 surveillance and attack drones of conditional enemy.
  • Snipers carried out three-day tactical-special exercises using Dragunov sniper rifle.
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Unit conducted terrain reconnaissance in difficult meteorological conditions.
  • Artillerists destroyed „camp of armed terrorists“ in mountains. Tactical exercises were held based on the experience gained in Syria.
  • Motorized infantry units manoeuvred Abkhazian coastal line defence from enemy’s naval landing party.

The 7th military base other news

  • Children’s drawings creative contest – „Tankmen through the eyes of children“ was dedicated to the 73th anniversary of the tankman day.
  • Military-patriotic camp „For Yunarmiya“ was opened in Abkhazia. All-Russia Military Patriotic Social Association „Yunarmiya“ was established by the initiative of the Ministry of Defence of Russia and is supported by the President of Russia.
  • The first Fall Spartaciada was held at the military base to identify the best sport unit. For the title of the best reconnaissance serviceman – three-day competition was held at the military base.
  • Up to 100 servicemen participated in the solemn parade on September 30, dedicated to the 26th anniversary of „Independence of the Republic of Abkhazia“.
  • In 2019-2020, Russia plans to spend 195 million RUB on military settlements in Abkhazia. For this purpose, closed auction will be held, results of which will be announced on October 9. 

The 4th military base other news

  • Military servicemen participated in the solemn parade dedicated to the 29th anniversary of republic declaration by Tskhinvali Region.  
  • In village Roka, Java district, military servicemen vehicle collided with concrete barrier. As a result, two servicemen were injured.
  • In 2019-2020, Russia plans to spend 287.9 million RUB on military settlements in Tskhinvali Region. For this purpose, closed auction will be held, results of which will be announced on October 9. 

Cooperation in the Field of Security

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, endorsed signing agreement on financing modernization of armed forces of Abkhazia. As per the order of September 22, 2019, agreement will be signed once the Russian Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs agree on details with Abkhazian side. Agreement envisages equipping Abkhazian armed forces with modern weapons. On August 23, 2019, within the framework of Alliance and Strategic Partnership agreement between Russia and Abkhazia, Merab Kishmaria, de facto Minister of Defence of Abkhazia, and Sergei Shoigu, Minister of Defence of Russian Federation signed the agreement.

Cooperation in the Field of Foreign Policy

Foreign policy coordination

On September 30, 2019, Andrey Rudenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, met with Daur Kove, de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia. The main topic of the meeting was preparation for the Geneva International Discussions next round on stability and security in Transcaucasia. At the meeting was also discussed topical issues of Abkhazia-Russia relations and the main directions of foreign policy interaction.

Bibilov visited new embassy building in Moscow

During his visit in Moscow, Anatoly Bibilov, de facto President of Tskhinvali Region, called on XIX century building, where Tskhinvali Region „embassy“ will be soon relocated. Currently reconstruction works are ongoing in the building, planning relocation by the end of fall.

Cooperation in the Field of Economy

There is a complicated situation at de facto border of Tskhinvali Region with the Russian Federation, in regards of crossing the border by vehicles registered in Tskhinvali Region. Reportedly, owners of the vehicles registered in Tskhinvali Region, are trying to avoid paying customs duties for crossing de facto border and using vehicles in Russia, pretending this is the vehicle temporary entry in Russia. Since 2010 the number of vehicle-related cases has been increased. At the same time, has increased the customs debt, which by August of 2019 amounted to 530 million RUB.

Cooperation in the Field of Energy

On September 23, 2019, in St. Petersburg, Anatoly Bibilov, de facto Leader of Tskhinvali Region, met with Alexey Miller, Chairman of „Gazprom“ Management Committee. At the working meeting parties discussed Russian gas export in Tskhinvali Region and issues related to gasification project implementation dates in the Region settlements. „Gazprom“ has already developed general gasification scheme for Tskhinvali Region, which envisages gasification of 200 settlements.

Cooperation with the Regions of Russia

Denis Pushilin, Leader of Russian puppet state, self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, visited Tskhinvali Region. Delegation from Donetsk participated in celebration dedicated to the 29th anniversary of republic declaration by Tskhinvali Region. Tskhinvali Region recognized independence of self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics in 2014. In May 2017, Tskhinvali Region signed agreement on Friendship and Mutual Assistance with self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s republic, and in December, 2018 – with self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic. 

Religion

Timur Dziba, Mufti of Abkhazia, invited by Ravil Gainutdinov, Mufti of the Russian Federation, participated in the events organized by the Muslim Spiritual Board of the Russian Federation in Moscow. Dziba, as an honorary guest, participated in the ceremony of electing the head of the Muslim Spiritual Board of the Russian Federation.

Russian Soft Power

In September 2019, events popularizing Russian language and balalaika concerts were held in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region with the support of representations of Federal Agency for CIS States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Affairs.

Russian language popularization

  • Russian language courses started at the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Tskhinvali.
  • Educational and scientific-methodical event will be held in Abkhazia. Purpose of the event is to expand geography and scope of Russian language use, popularize Russian education, science and culture. Events will be held by Federal University of South Caucasus.
  • Russian nonprofit organization „People's Eurasian Union“ has awarded cash bonuses to six teachers of Russian language and literature in Gali district.

Seminars for the youth

In Abkhazia, two seminars („Russian Technological Achievements“ and „Investment Attraction“) were conducted for the youth at the Agency Abkhazian representation. Russian experts were invited for the seminars.

Balalaika concert in Gali

On September 3, „People's Eurasian Union“, with the support of the Agency Abkhazian representation, held balalaika concert at the House of Culture, Gali. Similar concerts were held in other districts.

Genocide recognition

On September 9, 2019, working group was established at the State Duma of the Russian Federation to study appeal of de facto parliament of Tskhinvali Region. On August 1, de facto parliament of Tskhinvali Region appealed to the Russian Federation State Duma and Federation Council on recognition „„South Ossetians“ Genocide committed by Georgia in 1920“. The group will be chaired by Viktor Vodolatsky, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Commonwealth of Independent States, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots. The group first working visit to Tskhinvali is planned in November.

Tennis traditional tournament

On September 28-29, in Gagra, international tennis tournament named after Sergey Bagapsh, took place for the 18th time since 2001. In 2019, tournament was dedicated to the 25th anniversary of so-called peacekeeping operation of Russia in Abkhazia, conflicted region. Kosntantin Zatulin, the State Duma MP, is the tournament founder and one of the main organizers.