Publication:  N3 / Review period: July-September, 2021 /Author: Ani Zirakashvili

Review of Russia’s Soft Power in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region is being prepared within the framework of the project - Roadmap to the Kremlin's Policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. The purpose of the publication is to review important developments related to Russia's soft power in these regions and activities that the Kremlin uses to strengthen its influence in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. The review is a quarterly publication and will be useful for everyone – decision-makers, public employees, media representatives and other people who are interested in the Kremlin’s policy in the occupied regions of Georgia.

Russia’s Soft Power in Abkhazia

Education

• A total of 25 entrants from Abkhazia will study in higher education institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. The submission of applications was available at four specialized schools: the Voronezh Institute, the Omsk Academy, the Orlov Institute, and the Nizhny Novgorod Academy. The term of study is five years.
• On August 24, a meeting was held between the Deputy Minister of Education of Russia, Natalia Bocharova, and the “Minister of Foreign Affairs” of Abkhazia, Daur Kove. Bocharova suggested considering the possibility of holding summer and winter camps for students and high-grade schoolchildren from Abkhazia on the basis of leading Russian universities.
• On September 9, Andranik Migranyan met with students of the Abkhazian "State" University. Migranyan is a Russian historian and public figure. Currently, he heads the Department of Political Science at the Moscow Institute of International Relations. During the meeting, he discussed Abkhazia’s role in international relations and prospects for the development of the "republic". Migranyan said that the threat of physical destruction of the Abkhaz nation no longer exists, which is Russia's merit.

Activities of Non-Governmental Organizations

• The Rossotrudnichestvo office in Abkhazia provided humanitarian assistance to schoolchildren of the mountainous village of Pskhu. Schoolchildren received 800 textbooks and other learning resources for grades I-X. Rossotrudnichestvo was supported by several organizations, including the House of Moscow cultural and business center.

Rossotrudnichestvo’s Humanitarian Mission in the Mountainous Village of Pskhu. Source: apsnypress.info

Celebrating Historical Dates

• The 13th anniversary of the Recognition of Abkhazia's “independence” by Russia was celebrated on August 26. The de facto authorities laid wreaths at the memorial to those killed in the 1992-1993 war. The Russian “Ambassador,” Aleksey Dvinianin, also participated in the event.
• The 28th anniversary of the “liberation” of Sokhumi was marked on September 27. Aslan Bzhania decorated a memorial in the Park of Glory with flowers. The event was also attended by war veterans and students from different schools.

Vadim Chekha

• Vadim Chekha, the former Head of the Rossotrudnichestvo office, was awarded with the Dignity and Glory Order, III Degree, for his significant contribution to the education and training of highly qualified personnel in Abkhazia. The relevant order was signed by the “President,” Aslan Bzhania, on September 24.
• As announced on the air of Sputnik Abkhazia radio, the Rossotrudnichestvo office in Abkhazia will soon have a new head. Vadim Chekha has held this position since September 2018; however, his three-year contract expired.

Russia’s Soft Power in the Tskhinvali Region

Education

• In early August, the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, signed an agreement which  allows entrants from the Tskhinvali Region with dual “citizenship” study under the educational quota in higher education institutions of the Russian Federation. It should be noted that only foreign citizens who do not have permanent or temporary residence in Russia can study under this quota.
• A total of 24 “cadets” from the region will study in Russian higher education institutions. They can study in four different institutions: the Nizhny Novgorod Academy, the Voronezh Institute, the Orlov Law Institute, and the Krasnodar University.

Culture

• Children’s choreographic ensemble of the Tskhinvali N2 secondary school participated in the Russian online festival. The My Motherland festival was held online on YouTube. The ensemble presented the Simd national dance and uploaded the video on the web-page. The festival is aimed at promoting national clothes, culture and traditions of the Russian people.
• The region took part in the Hello, Russia! Russian cultural-educational project in August. A total of 18 representatives from the region, aged 14 to 19, formed the Nard Edelweiss team to take part in the festival. They left for Moscow on a studying visit, where they made a presentation about the region. The project was aimed at raising awareness about multiethnic Russian culture.

Celebrating Historical Dates

• July 14 marked the 29th anniversary of the introduction of peacekeeping forces and flowers were laid  at the Defenders to the Fatherland monument. Among those present were the de facto President, Anatoly Bibilov, and Russia's “Ambassador,” Marat Kulakhmetov. The “peacekeeping” mission started  in 1992 and ended in August 2008. Russian, Georgian and Ossetian peacekeepers were deployed in the region as part of the mission.
• On August 22, Tskhinvali celebrated the Day of the National Flag of the Russian Federation. As part of the celebration the Drawing on the Asphalt action was held and ribbons in the colors of the Russian flag were distributed. The event was organized by the Coordinating Council of Russian Compatriots and the Rossotrudnichestvo office in the region.

Day of the National Flag of the Russian Federation in the Tskhinvali Region. Source: cominf.org

• On August 26, on the Day of the Recognition of the Independence of the Tskhinvali region by the Russian Federation, the With Love for Russia exhibition was held at the National Library of the Republic. Among other events held on this date should be noted a concert on the Theater Square, a solemn meeting of representatives of the de facto government and the public at the Khetagurov State Drama Theater, etc.
• September 19 marked the “State” Flag Day of the Tskhinvali Region. On this date, the National Library of the Republic conducted traditional testing in Ossetian and Russian languages. More than 20 people tested their knowledge of the “state” symbols of the region.
• The Day of Republic was celebrated on September 20. A military parade was held in Tskhinvali and, finally, the ceremonial events ended with a concert at the State Drama Theater. On the same day, the “Foreign Minister,” Dmitry Medoev, and the Russian “Ambassador,” Marat Kulakhmetov, signed an agreement on dual citizenship between Russia and the Tskhinvali region.

Russia’s soft power is an instrument of the foreign policy, which the Kremlin actively uses to increase its influence abroad, including in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. Offices of the Federal Agency for CIS, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Affairs ensure the implementation of Russia’s soft power policy in the occupied regions of Georgia. Vadim Chekha was the Head of the Agency office in Abkhazia and Sergey Skvortsov is the Head of the Agency office in the Tskhinvali Region.