Publication: N35 / Review period: November 1-30, 2021
Review of the Kremlin Policy in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region is being prepared within the framework of the project - Roadmap to Kremlin's Policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. The purpose of the publication is to review important developments related to Russia’s policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. The review is a monthly publication and will be useful for everyone – decision-makers, public employees, media representatives and other people who are interested in the Kremlin policy in the occupied regions of Georgia.
Visit of Government Officials
Russian Government Officials in Sokhumi
On November 17, the de facto Prime Minister of Abkhazia, Alexander Ankvab, held a meeting with representatives of the Russian Ministries of Economic Development and Transport. The delegation was chaired by the Director of the Department for Special Programs and Projects of the Ministry of Economic Development, Vitaly Gudin, who oversees the directions of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. The meeting discussed problematic issues of the current investment program in detail, as well as the draft program for 2022-2025 promoting the socio-economic development and the prospects for the reconstruction of road and transport infrastructure in the Kodori Gorge. The delegation assessed the state of transport infrastructure in the Kodori Gorge and identified priorities for its further reconstruction.
Vitaly Gudin at the Meeting. Source: km-ra.org
Russian Government Officials in Tskhinvali
On November 24, a Russian delegation paid a working visit to the Tskhinvali region. The delegation comprised of: the Deputy Secretary of the Security Council, Rashid Nurgaliyev, the Head of the Directorate for Interregional Relations and Cultural Contacts with Foreign Countries of the Russian Presidential Administration, Igor Maslov, and his deputy, Viktor Shargaev. On the first day of the visit, a working meeting was held with the de facto President of the Tskhinvali region, Anatoly Bibilov. The meeting discussed the issues of the 2022-2025 program supporting the energy security and the socio-economic development. Mr. Bibilov and his guests held an opening ceremony of a Russian-funded apartment building on Heroes' Street.
Visits in Moscow
“Prime Minister” in Moscow
The “Prime Minister” of the Tskhinvali region, Gennady Bekoev, met with the Head of the Russian Federal Tourism Agency (Rostourism), Zarina Doguzova. The sides talked about raising the qualification of personnel involved in the formation of state policy in the field of tourism, popularization of the tourism industry and the establishment of an image of “South Ossetia” as a favorable destination for tourism.
“Minister of Tourism” in Moscow
As part of his working visit to Moscow, the “Minister of Tourism” of Abkhazia, Teimuraz Khishba, met with the Head of the Russian Federal Tourism Agency (Rostourism), Zarina Doguzova. The parties signed a memorandum on cooperation in the field of tourism. On November 17, Mr. Khishba held a meeting with members of the Russian State Duma and attended a meeting of the Tourism Committee of the Russian State Duma on November 19.
“Minister of Health” in Moscow
During his working visit to Moscow, the Abkhaz “Minister of Health,” Eduard Butba, met with leaders of leading medical institutions in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Mr. Butba also met with the Russian Deputy Minister of Health, Viktor Fisenko. The parties talked about the construction of a modern cardiology centre in Sokhumi, compulsory medical insurance, the recognition of Abkhaz QR codes, as well as discussed medicines supply to Abkhazia.
Military Exercises
A detailed review of the activities of the Russian Military forces in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region in November 2021 can be found here.
Cooperation in the Field of the Security
Military Equipment for the Tskhinvali Region
The Russian Ministry of Defense sent military equipment to the Tskhinvali region. The de facto Ministry of Defense of the region also received various material and technical means from Russia. At this stage, military servicemen are learning how to use the mentioned military devices and equipment.
Sappers Checked the Territory of the Sokhumi Airport
Sappers of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation checked the V. Ardzinba Sokhumi airport and cleared the territory from unexploded ordnances (UXO). The de facto government of Abkhazia is planning to restore the Sokhumi airport with Russian investments, so, cleaning was carried out at the territory of the airport first.
Coordination of Foreign Policy
On November 3, Andrey Rudenko, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, hosted Irakli Tuzhba, a representative of Abkhazia at the Geneva Talks and the de facto Deputy Foreign Minister of Abkhazia. Mr. Rundeko oversees the directions of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region at the Ministry. The sides discussed the issues of bilateral cooperation and topical issues related to the Geneva Discussions.
Abkhazia Hosted a Delegation of the Russian Federal Tax Service
The de facto government of Abkhazia hosted a delegation of the Russian Federal Tax Service. During the meeting, the Abkhaz “ministers” introduced the work of the Tax Department to the members of the delegation. In particular, they talked about the tax system, the structure of the department and the main legislative acts regulating the department’s activities, tax statistics, accounting and registration of real estate and movable property. The parties also discussed the introduction of cash register technology in Abkhazia.
Backup Power Transmission Line in the Tskhinval Region
On November 26, a backup power transmission line was put into operation in the Tskhinvali region. The ceremony was attended by the “president” Anatoly Bibilov, the Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council, Rashid Nurgaliyev, the Head of the Directorate for Interregional and Cultural Contacts with Foreign Countries of the Russian Presidential Administration, Igor Maslov, and other members of a Russian delegation.
Opening Ceremony of the Backup Power Transmission Line. Source: cominf.org
The length of the 110 kV single-circuit line is 4.5 km. The cost of the project amounted to RUB 1.7 billion. All financial expenses were reimbursed by the Russian Federation. In particular, the project had two sources of funding - the state budget of the Russian Federation and the investment program promoting the socio-economic development of the Tskhinvali region, which is also funded by Russia.
The construction of the backup transmission line is aimed at increasing the energy security of the Tskhinvali region, although, in reality, this project is of strategic importance. On the one hand, the backup line will really improve the reliability of the power system in the occupied region of Georgia, on the other hand, the region will become even more dependent on Russia as the sole supplier of electricity.
Meeting at Gazprom
On November 30, in St. Petersburg, the de facto President of the Tskhinvali region, Anatoly Bibilov, met with Alexei Miller, the Head of Gazprom. The meeting discussed the issue of gasification of the region’s settlements. The Tskhinvali region has been supplied with gas from Russia since 2009. According to earlier reports, the general gasification scheme covers up to 200 settlements.
Cooperation with Regions of Russia
The de facto president of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, met with a delegation of Cossacks from the Krasnodar region. The delegation was chaired by the Deputy Governor of the region, Alexander Vlasov. The parties discussed the development of the Cossack organization in Sokhumi and the assistance of the Cossacks to the “state” bodies.
Russia’s “Soft Power”
Russian-Abkhaz Forum
On November 10, the first stage of the Sochi-Sokhumi Russian-Abkhaz forum was held at the Sochi State University. A total of 25 students from the Abkhaz State University took part in the joint volunteer forum.
Diploma of the Guild of Russian Playwrights
Tamerlan Dzurtsov, the Artistic Director of the K. Khetagurov State Theater of the Tskhinvali region, was awarded with a diploma of the Guild of Russian Playwrights. The diploma was presented to Mr. Dzurtsov by the General Director of the Guild, Yuri Butunin, at the Bulamarg Literary Award Ceremony in Moscow.
Award Ceremony. Source: sputnik-ossetia.ru
International Forum
Students of the Tskhinvali State University participated in the International Youth Forum for Russian language teachers. The event took place in Pyatigorsk, Russia, on November 22-25. The Tskhinvali “State” University was represented by 13 students. In the framework of the forum the I Know Russian Olympiad was held. The Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation was one of the supporters of the event.