Monthly Review

Review of Kremlin Policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region

2020 / 03 / 01

Staff changes at the Russian government towards Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region started early 2020 continued in February as well. Starting from February 1, Abkhazia receives electricity from Russia. Textbooks of Russian language and literature were handed over to schools in Gali district. Russia will help Abkhazia to fight the Conoravirus. The article provides an overview of the major events that took place in February 2020 in connection with the Kremlin policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region.

February 2020 Important Developments Shortly:

  • Curators: Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Government Marat Khunsullin has been appointed Co-Chair of Intergovernmental Committee on socio-economic cooperation with Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region.
  • Meeting with the curator: In Moscow, de facto Leader of the Tskhinvali Region met with the Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration.
  • Military exercises: Russian servicemen deployed in the Tskhinvali Region have been active in terms of conducting military exercises since 2020.
  • Cooperation in the field of security: de facto Defence Minister of Abkhazia Merab Kishmaria met with the commander of the 7th Russian military base in Abkhazia Oleg Senkov.
  • Foreign policy coordination: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation met with the Co-Chairs of the Geneva Discussions.
  • Cooperation in the field of economy: Tskhinvali appeals to Moscow to assist and resolve the problem of food and industrial goods import from Russia to the Tskhinvali Region.
  • Cooperation in the energy field: Starting from February 1, Abkhazia receives electricity from Russia.
  • Cooperation in the field of health: medicines and medical supplies provision to Russian citizens residing in Abkhazia will be continued.
  • Cooperation with separatists: de facto Leader of the Tskhinvali Region visited self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic.
  • Soft power: „lessons of devotion“ were held at the schools in Abkhazia on the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II.

Curators

Curators to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Regions: Staff changes

On February 7, 2020, by the decree of the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, former Minister of North Caucasus Affairs Sergey Chebotarev was appointed Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Economic Development. Chebotarev will continue his old job as the Deputy Minister at the new ministry. On January 21, 2020, by the order of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Ministry of North Caucasus Affairs was abolished and joined the Ministry of Economic Development.

Reportedly, the curator to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region has been replaced at the Directorate for Cross-Border Cooperation of the Presidential Administration. Vladimir Vladimirov was replaced by Vladimir Mishenkov. Vladimirov has been in office since August 2017 and oversaw political direction in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. Mishenkov has worked at the Ministry of Regional Development and the Ministry of North Caucasus Affairs.

On February 15, 2020, by the decree of the government of the Russian Federation, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin was appointed Co-Chair of the intergovernmental committee on socio-economic cooperation with Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. Khusnullin was preceded by Vitaly Mutko, who left the government on January 21.

On February 18, 2020, the order published on the President's website finally confirmed the rumors on deposition of the Presidential Assistance Vladislav Surkov. His areas of responsibility at the Presidential administration covered directions of Ukraine and the occupied regions of Georgia.

Russian Advisor died in Tskhinvali

On February 3, 2020, the Russian Federation Health Advisor Igor Gal died in the Tskhinvali Region. Bodies of Gal and his wife were found in their rented apartment in Tskhinvali. Vladikavkaz forensic-medical examination determined death was caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. Gal was involved in the reform of the healthcare system in the Tskhinvali Region since 2016.

Meeting with Curator

On February 28, 2020, in Moscow, de facto President of the Tskhinvali Region Anatoly Bibilov met with the Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation Dmitry Kozak.  Issues related to construction of backup power lines, modernization of Trans-Caucasian highway and financing of investment program were discussed at the meeting. This was the first meeting of the Presidential Administration senior officials with de facto Leader of the Tskhinvali Region after deposition of Vladislav Surkov’s, who was the curator to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. At this stage, the Presidential Administration has not officially confirmed who will substitute Surkov in direction of occupied regions of Georgia, however it seems Kozak is already coordinating this direction. Earlier, Kozak officially replaced Surkov for the Ukrainian direction.

Military Exercises

Military exercises at the 7th military base in Abkhazia

  • Repair unit servicemen practiced in evacuation of damaged equipment during the combat activities.
  • As a part of tactical exercise motorized infantry unit worked out defensive actions in mountainous areas.
  • Grenade launcher unit completed 30-day training session in mountains and Black Sea coast.
  • Artillerists destroyed targets using new technical-digital devices.
  • Reconnaissance unit started a month camp gathering at Tsebelda polygon. Servicemen completed counter subversive combat-training tasks in difficult terrain.

The 7th military base other news

  • In order to prevent seasonal viruses at the military base, medical unit carried out various preventive measures, including distribution of onions and garlics in canteens to increase the servicemen immunity.
  • More than 1000 servicemen and their families participated in World War II related project – „Road to Remembrance“.
  • Parade units prepare for celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Victory in World War II.
  • The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has closed the case of the traffic accident, as a result of which three Russian servicemen died  in Abkhazia on January 18, 2019. Statement released by the committee states the case was closed due to the suspect's death. According to the investigation, the driver lost control of the armoured vehicle.
  • International cultural-business center „Moscow House“ in Sokhumi, donated church utensils and literature to the church on the territory of the 7th  Russian military base in Abkhazia. At the military base the Nicholas the Miraculous Church was opened in April 2018.
  • On February 23, concert was held at the 7th military base dedicated to the „Defender of the Fatherland Day“.

Military exercises at the 4th military base in the Tskhinvali Region

  • At Dzartsemi polygon, military base unit practiced combat shootings using standard missiles. During the exercise shootings were carried out from various weapons.
  • Military base engineers carried out field training exercise at Dzartsemi polygon.
  • Military base unit practiced combat shootings from man-portable disposable rocket launcher - „Шмель“.
  • Company tactical groups participated in bilateral training.
  • Engineers of the 58th army of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation participated in tactical-special exercises. The training lasted for three weeks. The exercises were held in North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Chechnya, Dagestan and the Tskhinvali Region. Missile and artillery units of the 58th army started field training exercise at the North and South Caucasus military polygons. Field training exercise will also be held at Dzartsemi polygon in the Tskhinvali Region as well.

Cooperation in the Field of Security

De facto Defence Minister of Abkhazia Merab Kishamria met with the Commander of the 7th military base of the Russian Federation in Abkhazia Oleg Senkov. During the meeting the parties congratulated each other on the coming „Defender of the Fatherland Day“ and expressed readiness to hold joint events.

Foreign Policy Coordination

On February 6, 2020, Andrey Rudenko, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation and curator to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region, met with the co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions on stability and security in Transcaucasia. Meeting participants exchanged views on regional security issues. Special attention was paid to the situation on the occupation line, at de facto border with the Tskhinvali Region. The sides discussed possible steps to de-escalate the tensions.

Cooperation in the Field of Economics

As de facto President Anatoly Bibilov stated at the meeting with entrepreneurs, who faced problems while importing food and industrial goods from Russia to the Tskhinvali Region via „Nizhny Zaramag“ customs point, Bibilov has sent a letter to the Russian Ministry of Economic Development outlining specific solutions to the problem at de facto border of the Tskhinvali Region with Russia.  The problem arose as a result of Russia's request for customs clearance in accordance with the Customs Union rules. To solve the problem, representatives of de facto customs service of the Tskhinvali Region met with representatives of customs service the North Ossetian Republic - Alania. The problem is not resolved at the moment.

Cooperation in the Field of Energy

On February 1, the Russian Federation started supplying Abkhazia with electricity. Energy deficit in Abkhazia was caused by water decrease to critical level in Jvari reservoir. Electricity supply from Russia will continue until Enguri Dam returns to normal operation. To eliminate current energy shortage, it is planned to supply Abkhazia with 200-250 million kWh electricity in February-March. For Abkhazia price per kWh will be 2 Russian RUB. In 2019 electricity supply cost amounted to 190 million RUB.

Cooperation in the Field of Healthcare

Russia Continues Medicines Provision to Abkhazia

De facto Parliament of Abkhazia ratified additional agreement on cooperation between Abkhazia and Russia in the field of medicines and medical products provision to the certain categories of Russian citizens residing in Abkhazia. The agreement validity was extended till December 31, 2022. The agreement was signed in 2017 and expired on December 31, 2019. 9 categories of disabled persons will benefit from the agreement, totally covering 8,000 people and amounting to 50 million RUB. The agreement extension was supported by the Russian government as well.

Russia will Assist Abkhazia to Fight the Coronavirus

The Russian Ministry of Health  and „Rospotrebnadzor“ will assist Abkhazia to strengthen sanitary and quarantine posts on de facto borders of Abkhazia. Assistance envisages arrival of mobile sanitary-epidemiological squads and epidemiologists and infectious disease specialists of the Russian Ministry of Health. In addition, Russia will assist Abkhazia with necessary medicines, consumables, diagnostic test systems and individual protection equipment. Totally, Abkhazia will receive 500 test systems.

Cooperation with Separatists

De facto President of the Tskhinvali Region Anatoly Bibilov paid a visit to self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic. Leonid Passychnik, Leader of the separatist Lugansk, invited Bibilov to the parade on the 75th  anniversary of the Victory in World War II, that will be held in May.

Russian Soft Power

The Federal Agency for CIS States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Affairs representations in Abkhazia had a busy month in February.

Day of Diplomats

On February 8, 2020, Day of Russian Diplomats was celebrated in Tskhinvali. De facto president Anatoly Bibilov also attended the ceremony. On February 10, de facto Foreign Minister of Abkhazia Daur Kove attended the similar event held in Sokhumi.

Musical books

Educational materials were donated to the region music schools with the support of the agency representation in Tskhinvali.

Lessons in computer sciences for students

As a part of the All-Russian educational campaign „Numbers Lesson“, lesson in computer sciences was held for students of 8 - 9 grades at the agency representation in Tskhinvali.

New kindergarten in Tskhinvali

New kindergarten with 160 places was opened in Tskhinvali. The kindergarten construction under the investment program promoting socio-economic development of the Tskhinvali Region was completed in 2019. De facto President Anatoly Bibilov and Russian „ambassador“ to the region Marat Kulakhmetov attended the new building opening ceremony.

Meeting with principals of schools in Gali district

Head of the agency representation in Abkhazia Vadim Chekha participated in the meeting with principals of schools in Gali district. During the meeting the schools were given Russian language and literature textbooks and methodical literature.

Lessons of Devotion

As a part of preparation for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Victory in World War II, the agency representation in Abkhazia conducted „Lessons of Devotion“ in Abkhazian schools. At the 2nd secondary school of Sokhumi lesson was held on the day of liberation Rostov from fascists. Similar lesson was also held at Drand school. At the 3rd secondary school in Sokhumi, lesson was dedicated to the Battle of Stalingrad. After the lessons, the schools received books on World War II.

Remembering Pasternak

In Tskhinvali, at the Agency representation was held an evening dedicated to the work of the Russian poet Boris Pasternak.

Education in Russia

In Tskhinvali and Akhalgori the agency representatives held meetings with senior grade students and entrants to higher educational institutions and discussed the issue of getting education in Russia.

Literary-musical evening in Tskhinvali

In Tskhinvali, at the children’s library was held thematic literary-musical evening dedicated to the day of „Defender of the Fatherland“. Students of cadet school and the 2nd secondary school participated in the evening.

International Mother Language Day was celebrated in Sokhumi as well

On February 21, with the Agency representation support, International Mother Language Day was celebrated in Sokhumi. Students of Abkhazian and Armenian schools in Sokhumi participated in a multimedia quiz in Russian language and literature.