Publication: N40 / Review period: April 1-30, 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.
Tskhinvali Region: Illegitimate Presidential Elections
Russian delegation
On April 10, illegitimate presidential elections were held in the Tskhinvali region. In support of the incumbent de facto president, Anatoly Bibilov a delegation of the Russian Federation visited Tskhinvali on April 7. The delegation comprised of the Head of the Republic of North Ossetia, Sergey Menyaylo, the Head of Kabardino-Balkaria, Kazbek Kokov, the Russian Senator, Sergei Karelin, as well as representatives of the Russian State Duma and the Russian Federation Council. During the visit of the Russian delegation, Bibilov met separately with a member of the State Duma, Dmitry Sablin.
Russian Delegation in Tskhinvali. Source: cominf.org
Evaluation of “Elections”
The “elections” did not identify the winner and the second round will be held between Bibilov and his opponent Alan Gagloev on May 8. Sergei Tsekov, a member of the Council of the Russian Federation and a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, was satisfied with the process of the elections. According to him, “the elections were held perfectly.” Kazbek Taisayev, a member of the State Duma and the Deputy Chairman of the CIS Affairs Committee, was also satisfied with the election process. The State Duma delegation also included Yana Lantratova, the Deputy Chairwoman of the Education Committee, who heads the Russia-South Ossetian Friendship Parliamentary Group.
Visit to Donetsk
As part of the “pre-election” campaign in the Tskhinvali region, Bibilov paid a visit to Donetsk where he met with the Head of the Donetsk People's Republic, Denis Pushilin.
Meetings with Kozak
In order to gain support after the first round of the elections, both candidates held meetings with Dmitry Kozak, the Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration. Kozak oversees the occupied regions of Georgia. Reportedly, Gagloev met with Kozak on April 16 and Bibilov - on April 20. According to reports, during the meeting with Kozak, Bibilov discussed topical issues of cooperation and focused on the implementation of the program promoting the socio-economic development of the Tskhinvali region until 2025. The issue of increasing the salaries for employees of the budgetary and law enforcement agencies of the Tskhinvali region was also discussed.
Bzhania's Visit to Moscow
On April 26-29, the de facto President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, paid a working visit to Moscow. During the visit, Bzhania met with the Head of the Russian Presidential Administration, Anton Vaino, and his deputy, Dmitry Kozak. Bzhania also met with Rashid Nurgaliyev, the Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council. Kozak and Nurgaliyev oversee the occupied regions of Georgia.
New “Parliament” of Abkhazia
The first session of the newly elected illegitimate parliament of Abkhazia was held on April 12. Konstantin Zatulin, a member of the State Duma and a lobbyist for the de facto government of Abkhazia, also attended the sitting as an honorary guest.
Military Exercises
A detailed review of the activities of the Russian Military forces in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region in April 2022 can be found here.
Russia’s “Soft Power”
Russianists Association of Tskhinvali Receives Books
The Association of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature in the Tskhinvali region (АПРЯЛ ЮО) will receive a total of 500 books as a gift from the Solzhenitsyn Russian Diaspora House in Moscow.
Registration Started for Studying at Institutions of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Tskhinvali region started accepting applications for studying at higher education institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Applications are being Submitted for Studying at the MGIMO
The “State” University of Abkhazia started accepting applications for study at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO). Applicants will be able to study various undergraduate and graduate programs at the institution.
The de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Tskhinvali region completed accepting applications for studies at the same institute and the Diplomatic Academy on April 26. There are four places allocated in the undergraduate and three places in the master's programs for Ossetian entrants.
Sokhumi Discussed the Issue of Falsification of the Great Patriotic War
On April 8, a round table was held in Sokhumi which discussed the issue of falsifying the history of the Great Patriotic War in the modern mass media and fighting it. The talks also referred to information warfare technologies, methods of combating fakes and other similar issues.
Round Table. Source: abkhazinform.com
School of Real Journalism Ended in Tskhinvali
The School of Real Journalism was held in the Tskhinvali region on April 22-23. As part of the master-class, Russian journalists shared their knowledge and practical experience with participants.
Russian Scientist Gave Lectures on the Great Patriotic War
On April 27, in the Tskhinvali region, a Russian professor Alexander Mazuritsky delivered a lecture on the Great Patriotic War for the region’s school children. The lectures were attended by over 300 school children. Mazuritsky is a professor of the Information-Analytical Department of Moscow State Linguistic University. He was on a two-day visit to the de facto republic.