Monthly Review

Review of Kremlin Policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region

2020 / 07 / 01

In June 2020, summer period military exercises have started at the Russian military bases in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region, de facto Leaders of the occupied regions met with the President of Russia in Moscow, „Russia Day“  and the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War was celebrated in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. The article provides an overview of the major events that took place in June 2020 in connection with the Kremlin policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region.

June 2020 Important Developments Shortly

  • Meeting with Putin: De facto Presidents of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region participated in the parade dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the victory in WWII.
  • Curators: Replacement of the Head of Federal Agency for CIS States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Affairs.
  • Meeting with curators: in Moscow, de facto Deputy Prime Minister of Abkhazia met with the curators for socio-economic direction.
  • Military exercises: Summer period trainings have started at the Russian military bases in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region.
  • Cooperation in the field of economy: Russia’s Trade Representative met with the Head of Sokhumi de facto Administration.
  • Cooperation in the field of agriculture: Professional development online courses were held for the Tskhinvali Region veterinarians.
  • Cooperation with the regions of Russia:  the Tskhinvali Region deepens cooperation with the Voronezh Oblast.
  • Soft power“: number of events were held in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region on the occasion of „Russia Day“  and the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Meeting with Putin

On June 24, 2020, in Moscow, de facto President of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania and de facto President of the Tskhinvali Region Anatoly Bibilov  participated in the parade dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. During the visit Bzhania and Bibilov also met with the President of Russian Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin Palace. Due to the new Coronavirus pandemic the ceremony was held on June 24 instead of May 9.

Curators – Staff Changes

On June 25, 2020, under the decree of the President of the Russia, Evgeny Primakov’s grandson Evgeny Promakov Jr. was appointed the Head of Federal Agency for CIS States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Affairs („Россотрудничество“). Primakov replaced Eleonora Mitrofanova, who resigned on June 9, 2020. According to her earlier statement, she should be appointed Special Envoy to the Ministry. After the appointment, Primakov spoke about the problems at the Agency, including the Agency's complicated reputation and effectiveness. Primakov also stated that big changes are being anticipated at the Agency.

On June 1, Sergey Malenko resigned. He was Head of the CIS Affairs, International Development and Integration Division of the Federal Agency and curator to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. At this time, Malenko’s deputy Anastasia Miklina performs his duties.

Meeting with Curators

Aslan Bzhania met with the Russian Representatives in Abkhazia

On June 17, 2020, de facto president of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania met with the Russian Representatives in Abkhazia. Among the Representatives were the Russian „ambassador“ to Abkhazia Aleksey Dvinianin, Head of the Border Division of the Federal Security Service of Russian Federation in Abkhazia Major General Aleksey Trubetski, Commander of the 7th Military Base of Russian Federation in Abkhazia Colonel Oleg Senkov, representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation in Abkhazia Stanislav Apsava.

Various aspects of bilateral cooperation were discussed at the meeting. Bzhania also talked about implementation of measures under the 2014 Agreement on Alliance and Strategic Partnership, with a special focus on the Agreement article 5, which „envisages establishment of joint defence and security space to create an armed group for the state border protection“. According to Bzhania,  joint group has been set up, however not all the issues have been fully resolved, such as material and technical support, unification of standards.

De facto Deputy Prime Minister of Abkhazia Meets with the Leadership of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development

On June 22-26, 2020, Kristina Ozgan, de facto Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy of Abkhazia, paid working visit to Moscow. During the visit Ozgan met with the Russian Minister of Economic Development Maksim Reshetnikov and his First Deputy – Mikhail Babich. Babich is curator to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region for socio-economic direction. At the meeting issues of socio-economic cooperation were discussed, including implementation of investment program supporting socio-economic development of Abkhazia. In 2020, Russia will allocate 1.5 billion RUB under the program.

This was Ozgan’s second visit to Moscow for the last two months. Amid the economic crisis caused by the new Coronavirus pandemic, de facto government of Abkhazia is asking from Russia timely financial assistance. De facto government has already announced delays in salaries and pensions payment. Also, under the pandemic, the investment program for 2020 has not started yet and the receipt of the planned revenues from tourism is also doubtful. Against these challenges, Russian financial assistance is the only way to alleviate the crisis consequences for de facto government of Abkhazia.

Military Exercises

Military exercises at the 7th military base in Abkhazia

  • Military servicemen carried out first in summer large-scale field training exercise at Tsebelda and Nagvalou military training grounds. The field training exercise will last till the end of July and will be accomplished by combat shootings from various weapons.
  • Military servicemen started intensive individual training courses at Tsebelda and Nagvalou military training grounds. The courses will last for two months.
  • Military base tankmen started first summer exercises at Maykop military training ground, Adygea Republic. The exercises will last for a month.
  • Military base communication specialists carried out special exercises at Tsebelda military training ground. More than 200 specialists participated in the exercises.
  • Special firefighter training drills were held at the military base. After fire activation, firefighters exercised to eliminate fire at various facilities. 
  • Training-methodical workshop for company and battalion commanders has been started at the military base. As part of the workshop commanders will study modern methodology of organizing combat training.
  • At Maykop military training ground in Krasnodar Krai, military base tankmen carried out combat shooting from modern tanks „Т-72Б3“.

The 7th military base other news

  • Due to the high temperature in Summer, additional measures have been taken at the military base to protect military servicemen from heat.
  • Military base engineer-sapper unit cleared up Tsebelda and Nagvalou military training grounds from explosive devices.
  • Military servicemen and their families have cleaned the Black Sea coastal area under the „Clean Beach“ campaign.
  • On June 24, military servicemen marched through the cities and villages of Abkhazia, accompanied by the WWII time songs.
  • Military servicemen personally congratulated Ivan Grigoriev, born in 1924, living in Gudauta, on the victory in the Great Patriotic War.  

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

  • Military servicemen of the motorized infantry and tank units marched on Dzartsemi military training ground and started to practice in combat shootings. All tactical units of the 4th military base will undergo complete course of combat training within 3 months.
  • Snipers exercised to shoot down conditional enemy's drones, using the latest radar station.
  • At Dzartsemi military training ground, military base reconnaissance unit worked out methods of reconnaissance and surveillance in difficult situations.
  • Military base  grenade launcher operators practiced in destroying conditional enemy's armored equipment at maximum distance.

Cooperation in the Field of Economy

On June 26, 2020, Vladimir Nekrasov, Russia’s Trade Representative in Abkhazia met with Beslan Eshba,  Head of the Sokhumi de facto Administration. Issues of cooperation between Sokhumi and Russian companies were discussed at the meeting.

Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture

Following to the agreement with the Veterinary Laboratory of the Kropotkin District, Krasnodar Krai, Russia, professional development online courses were held for the Tskhinvali Region veterinarians. The courses were led by the specialists from various Russian institutions. Although the course is paid, it was free of charge for veterinarians in the Tskhinvali Region.

Cooperation with the Regions of Russia

The Tskhinvali Region will cooperate with Voronezh Oblast

De facto government of the Tskhinvali Region has signed an agreement with Voronezh Oblast of the Russian Federation on trade, economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation. The agreement was signed by Znaur Gasiev, de facto ambassador of the Tskhinvali Region to Russia, and Alexander Gusev, Governor of the Voronezh Oblast.

Kadyrov sent 100 tons of flour to Tskhinvali

Ramzan Kadyrov, the Head of the Chechen Republic, has sent 100 tons of flour to the Tskhinvali Region as humanitarian aid. Assistance will be delivered to the families with low income. Earlier, Tskhinvali received 50 tons of sugar from Karachay-Cherkessia.

RussianSoft Power

In June, 2020, with the support of Abkhazian Representation and the Tskhinvali Region Representation of Federal Agency for CIS States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Affairs, the „Russia Day“ and the victory in the Great Patriotic War was marked in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region.

New Magazine was Presented in Tskhinvali

On June 4, 2020, special edition of the magazine „Russian Word in South Ossetia“, dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, was presented at the so-called South Ossetian State University. The event was attended by de facto President of the Tskhinvali Region Anatoly Bibilov and the Russian „ambassador“ to the region Marat Kulakhmetov.

Russian language day was marked in Tskhinvali

On June 5, in Tskhinvali, Russian Language day and birthday of the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin was celebrated in Tskhinvali. In Russia, Day of Pushkin is marked on June 6.

„Russia Day“  

Number of events have been held in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region on the occasion of the Russian state holiday - „Russia Day“. Due to the new Coronavirus pandemic the events were less grandiose. The holiday is marked on June 12.

  • Children’s event was organized in Tskhinvali, where children drew greeting cards on the asphalt. The event „Russia, Receive Congratulations“ was held in front of the building of Federal Agency representation in Tskhinvali. Marat Kulakhmetov also congratulated the event participants.
  • On June 12, the state holiday of the Russian Federation - „Russia Day“ was celebrated in Tskhinvali. The event was started with laying flowers at the „Eternal Flame Memorial“ in the Alley of Glory. The event was attended by the
  • Marat Kulakhmetov, Russian Diplomats and local de facto authorities participated in the event at the „Eternal Flame Memorial“ in the Alley of Glory, in Tskhinvali. Motor rally, dedicated to the holiday, was held after the event.
  • Participants of the contest „Poems about Russia“, on the occasion of „Russia Day“, were awarded at the Russian „embassy“ in Abkhazia. More than 40 contestants recorded poems about Russia on video. The winners were awarded by Aleksey Dvinianin, Russia's „ambassador“ to Abkhazia.

Peacemakers Day

On June 21, Russian Peacekeepers day was marked in Abkhazia. Collective Peacekeeping Forces of CIS was formed on June 21, 1994.  

Remembrance and mourning day

  • On June 22, in Tskhinvali, Russian diplomats paid tribute to the memory of those who died in the Great Patriotic War. Marat Kulakhmetov also participated in the ceremony. On June 22, on the Day of Remembrance and Mourning, Russian diplomats laid flowers at the Alley of Glory in Tskhinvali.
  • On June 22, in Sokhumi, Russian diplomats paid respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Aleksey Dvinianin also participated in the event.

May 9 celebration

Due to new coronavirus pandemic, the 75th anniversary of WWII victory was celebrated on June 24 instead of May 9.

  • Traditional eighth bike ride - „Thank You for the Victory“ was held in Sokhumi with the support of the Russian „embassy“ and the Agency Representation in Abkhazia.  
  • Military parade was held in Tskhinvali. Marat Kulakhmetov attended the event.

Russian ambassador to Abkhazia held a press conference

On June 9, 2020, Aleksey Dvinianin held a press conference at the news agency „Sputnik“ where he reviewed Russian-Abkhazian relations as well as spoke about the fight against the new Coronavirus, restrictions imposed due to the pandemic and the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the victory in the WWII and the „Russia Day“.