Publication: N44 / Review period:  August 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.

New Trade Representative in Abkhazia

The Trade Representative of Russia in the de facto republic of Abkhazia, Vladimir Nekrasov, resigned after five years of work. On August 20, the Prime Minister of Russia appointed Zalina Kobesova to replace Nekrasov. She previously worked at the Russian Ministry of Industry and its representation in Belarus. 

Maxim Reshetnikov's First Visit to Abkhazia

On August 11-12, the Minister of Economy of the Russian Federation, Maxim Reshetnikov, paid his first working visit to the occupied Abkhazia. The main part of the visit was devoted to the discussion of issues related to the socio-economic development of Abkhazia, such as large investment projects and the issue of ensuring energy security. According to Reshetnikov, in parallel with the successful investment program, the investment potential of Abkhazia is attractive for Russian business, therefore we should expect an increase in Russian investments in the de facto republic in the future, especially in the tourism and energy sectors.

Who Will Be Involved in the Reconstruction of the Sokhumi Airport?

Basic Element - a company of the Russian oligarch, Oleg Deripaska, will be involved in the reconstruction of the Sokhumi airport. It was reported after Alexey Vasilchenko, a company representative, informed Reshetnikov about the airport reconstruction project. According to Vasilchenko, the airport will be constructed on an area of ​​10 thousand square kilometers and will be able to serve 435 people per hour. The airport has been closed to civilian flights after the Georgian-Abkhaz war.

 Program for 2023-2025

On August 4, in Moscow, the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia signed the "Agreement on Assistance in the Implementation of the State Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Abkhazia for 2022-2025.” The agreement was signed by the Minister Maxim Reshetnikov from the Russian side, and by the de facto Minister of Economy, Kristina Ozgan, from the Abkhazian side. A similar agreement was also signed with the de facto government of the Tskhinvali region. Priority sectors will be agriculture, processing and tourism. New support instruments such as preferential credits, subsidies will begin to operate, as well as expenses incurred for the purchase of equipment will be reimbursed.

Alan Gagloyev's Visit to Moscow

Within the framework of his visit to Moscow, the de facto President of the Tskhinvali region, Alan Gagloyev, met with a member of the Russian State Duma, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee for CIS Affairs, Kazbek Taisayev. Issues of bilateral cooperation were discussed at the meeting.

Russian-Abkhazian Working Group Meeting in Moscow

On August 2, a joint working group of the de facto Republic of Abkhazia and the Russian Federation held a meeting on the implementation of the program for the formation of a single social and economic space. From the Abkhaz side the meeting was attended by Kristina Ozgan and other members of the de facto government. The Russian side was represented by the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia, Dmitry Volvach, and representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Finance and Energy, Labor, Education, Industry and Trade, Federal Tax and Customs Services.

The creation of a single social and economic space between Russia and Abkhazia aims at removing legal obstacles for the implementation of joint projects by the parties in the above-mentioned areas. The program was approved by the parties on November 12, 2022. It includes activities carried out in 2021-2023 and extends to citizenship, tax and customs regulation issues and investment areas.

Russian-Abkhazian Working Meeting in Sochi

On August 19, in Sochi, Russia, the Russian-Abkhazian so-called inter-parliamentary working group held a meeting. The group works on law-making, convergence of legislation, development, and simplification of communication. From the Russian side, a member of the Russian State Duma, the First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for  CIS Affairs, Konstatin Zatulin, attended the meeting of the working group. The meeting also discussed the issue of simplifying movement on the Russian-Abkhazian “border.”

“Ambassador’s” Meetings

In August, a newly appointed “Ambassador” of Russia to Abkhazia, Mikhail Shurgalin, actively held meetings with representatives of the de facto government. On August 10, he met with the de facto Minister of Defense, Vladimir Anua. On the same day, Shurgalin met with the de facto Minister of Emergency Situations, Lev Kvitsinia. Shurgalin started “diplomatic” activity in Abkhazia on May 31.

Fuel Crisis

Due to overloading of railway traffic in the south of Russia, the de facto republic of Abkhazia could not receive fuel supplies in time which caused a shortage of fuel for some time. As a result of the support of the Russian Railways, Abkhazia received 2000 tons of oil products on August 18. An additional batch of 3,000 tons will be delivered to Abkhazia in the near future.

Miliary Exercises

The Russian Federation sent the major contingent of servicemen of the 4th and 7th military bases to fight against Ukraine. Therefore, the number of military exercises in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region has significantly reduced.

Military-Technical Forum Army-2022

On August 19-22, the Ministry of Defense of Russia organized the Army-2022 military-technical forum which was held in the so-called military-patriotic parks of the Southern Military District of Russia, including in the occupied Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, as well as in Armenia - at a Russian military base. Military equipment available at Russian military bases were demonstrated for the guests of the event. The Army-2022 is an international military-technical forum organized by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, which has been held for the eighth year.

Russian Officer Was Appointed as a New “Defense Minister” of the Tskhinvali Region

The “President” of the Tskhinvali region, Alan Gagloyev, appointed Russian officer Marat Pavlov as a new “Defense Minister.” Thirty eight -year-old Pavlov has been serving in the Russian Armed Forces since 2001. He is also a veteran of combat operations and was awarded with Russian state and departmental awards. Earlier, on August 12, Gagloyev dismissed Vladimir Pukhaev, who was appointed by his predecessor. Other deputies of the “Minister,” Igor Alborov and Viktor Fedorov, had to leave their posts as well. The latter has been holding this post since 2011 and was also the Chief of the General Staff. After being elected as “president” in May, Gagloyev has been slowly replacing the cadres appointed by his predecessor, Anatoly Bibilov.

“United Football League”

The Ministry of Sports of Russia plans to hold the first championship of the United Football League between friendly “Republics” in Crimea in March-November 2023. The “Commonwealth” football forum held in Crimea discussed the issue. As planned, the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, the occupied regions of Ukraine - Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, the occupied regions of Georgia - Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, teams of higher education institutions of the occupied Crimea and Russia will participate in the championship. The forum was held on August 24-25 in the occupied Yevpatoria.