Publication:  N39 / Review period:  March 1-31, 2022

Overview 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 to Moscow

On March 22, the de facto Foreign Minister of Abkhazia, Inal Ardzinba, paid a working visit to Moscow. The de facto Head of the Foreign Ministry held a number of meetings with representatives of federal agencies of the Russian Executive Power, the Federation Council and the State Duma. It is also interesting that the next day, March 23, the “President” of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, also paid a working visit to Moscow. He had meetings with representatives of the Russian Presidential Administration and government. Inal Ardzinba and Aslan Bzhania also met with the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov (for more details about the visit, see the article).

Referendum

On March 30, 2022, the “President” of the de facto Republic of so-called South Ossetia, Anatoly Bibilov, announced his intention to join Russia. As he stated, unification with Russia has always been a strategic goal for “South Ossetia” and its people. “South Ossetia could have achieved its dream in 2014 when Crimea Joined its homeland, however South Ossetia missed that chance. We will not make the same mistake now,” he added. It is interesting that on April 10, illegitimate presidential “elections” will be held in the Tskhinvali region.

Who Will Be New “Ambassador” to Abkhazia?

On March 17, 2022, the Russian President officially dismissed the “Ambassador” to Abkhazia, Aleksey Dvinianin, from the post. He has been occupying this position since 2018 and abruptly ended his diplomatic activities in Abkhazia in December last year. Interestingly, this fact coincided with the appointment of Inal Ardzinba as a new “Minister” of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia. Maxim Litvinov, the Counselor Envoy of the Embassy, ​​acts as the Ambassador.

Abkhazian “Elections” and Russian Observers

On March 10, 2022, the illegitimate parliamentary “elections” were held in Abkhazia. The “elections” were observed by representatives of Russia, including members of the Russian Public Chamber, representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia, and a frequent guest to Abkhazia, a member of the State Duma, the Deputy Chairman of the CIS Committee, Konstantin Zatulin. As a tradition, Russian observers described the “elections” as exemplary.

Sokhumi and Tskhinvali Will Receive Less Russian Money

On March 9, the de facto President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, met with the Russian Deputy Minister of Economic Development,  Dmitry Volvach. The meeting discussed issues of economic cooperation between Abkhazia and Russia. After the meeting, Mr. Volvach gave an interview to TASS and spoke about the new stage of life in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, the prospects of their membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, the attraction of investors and the potential of tourism. Last year, Russian financial assistance to both regions amounted to RUB 12 billion. Dmitry Volvach, the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, hopes that Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region will become more independent and less dependent on Russian subsidies in the near future. The first stage of assistance, the issuance of money and the development of infrastructure, has already been completed, the Deputy Minister said and added that currently Russia only acts as a consultant and supporter.

Meeting Between Aslan Bzhania and Dmitry Volvach. Source:  presidentofabkhazia.org

Military Exercises

Military Exercises at the 7th military base in Abkhazia

• Artillerymen completed exercises at the 7th military base. Exercises were also conducted at military training grounds in the Tskhinvali region, Armenia and the Astrakhan region (Russia).

Other News of the 7th Military Base

• Military servicemen of the 7th and 4th military bases are preparing for the Tank Biathlon which is one of the competitions of the International Army Games.

Military Exercises at the 4th Military Base in the Tskhinvali Region

• Artillerymen carried out exercises at the 4th military base. As part of the exercises they developed tactical, special and technical training, as well as fire control skills. They also performed control firing.
• Military medics practiced the search and evacuation of conditionally wounded servicemen using the Sagittarius special intelligence complex. The exercise was held at the Dartsmezi military training ground.

Other News of the 4th Military Base

• Yunarmiya instructors conducted lessons for schoolchildren at the 4th military base. The lessons focused on the basics of safety and combat training, first aid provision, as well as the history of the Russian Federation and Ossetia. Yunarmiya (the same as the Youth Army) is a military-patriotic public movement.

A detailed review of the activities of the Russian Military forces in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region in March 2022 can be found here.

Law on Dual Citizenship

The Russian President submitted an agreement on dual citizenship between Russia and the de facto republic of the Tskhinvali region for ratification to the State Duma. The dual citizenship agreement was signed in 2021.

Meeting at the Ministry of Sports of Russia

On March 29, in Moscow, Tarash Khagba, the President of the Abkhaz Football Federation, met with the Russian Deputy Minister of Sports, Odes Baisultanov. Akhrik Tsveiba, a former player of FC Dinamo Tbilisi, was also a member of the Abkhaz delegation.

Cooperation with Regions of Russia

On March 9, the de facto republic of Abkhazia established diplomatic relations with the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and on March 10 – with the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic. Sokhumi recognized the independence of Ukraine's breakaway regions on February 25, the second day after Russia launched its military aggression against Ukraine.

Russia’s “Soft Power”

New Issue of the Russian Word Magazine

A new, 19th issue of the Russian Word magazine was presented at the so-called “State” University of South Ossetia in the Tskhinvali region. The new issue is mainly dedicated to the jubilee of the Association of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature, although it also includes articles on Russian language, literature and history of Russia.

Maslenitsa Was Celebrated in Tskhinvali

The Maslenitsa traditional Russian holiday was celebrated in the Tskhinvali region. The festivities began on February 28 and lasted until March 6.

Date of the Soviet Regime Establishment Was Celebrated in Abkhazia

On March 4, in Gudauta, Abkhazia celebrated the day of the Soviet regime establishment. The audience laid flowers at the grave of Nestor Lakoba, an Abkhaz Bolshevik, and then military servicemen held a command-staff exercise.

“DonbassbeZgenocida” Video Conference

On March 22, students of the Tskhinvali “State” University participated in a video-conference “DonbassbeZgenocida.”