Publication: N16 / Review Period: January 1-31, 2024

The review is being prepared within the framework of the Roadmap to the Kremlin's Policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region project. The purpose of the review is to provide readers with information about main events and trends in the occupied regions of Georgia. The review is a monthly publication and will be useful for decision-makers, public employees, media representatives and other people who are interested in the developments taking place in the occupied regions of Georgia.

EU Representative Denied Entry to Abkhazia 

On January 26, Toivo Klaar, the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia, released a statement that his request to enter Abkhazia at the end of January 2024 was refused. As he said, this was the second denial in the last six-month period.

In Klaar's view, Abkhazia's relative openness should not fall victim to Russia's war against Ukraine. In his assessment, restrictions on their activities, as well as on the work of UN agencies, international non-governmental organizations and local civil society, have been increasing in recent years.

The campaign against international organizations in occupied Abkhazia has intensified since late 2021, when Inal Ardzinba was appointed as the de facto Foreign Minister of Abkhazia. Strengthening control over the activities of Western organizations is one of Moscow's demands. Last December, Ardzinba announced restrictions on the activities of USAID, and there is also strong pressure on other international organizations and representatives of local civil society.

Ardzinba's subordinates immediately responded to Klaar's statement:

• A comment of the Head of the Press Service, Milana Tsvizhba, was titled: “Georgian dream of Toivo Klaar.” Tsvizhba believes that Klaar's statement openly confirms that international and Abkhaz non-governmental organizations are involved in the implementation of the EU policy – “involvement without recognition” (refers to the strategy of the European Union, which assumes the involvement of Georgia in the conflict regions in terms of humanitarian and economic assistance, without recognizing the status of the occupied regions of Georgia). Tzvihba criticized Klaar's terminology and reminded that the “dividing line” mentioned by him is “the state border,” and the city “Sukhumi” is “Sukhum.” “Our doors are forever closed to those who consider us as occupied territories,” Tsvizhba added.
• The Deputy Head of the Department for Relations with International Organizations, Said Otyrba, and Ardzinba's advisor, Martin Tarkil, also critisied the policy of the European Union.
• The Coordinator of Information Projects, Milana Khashba, accused Abkhaz non-governmental organizations of cooperating with such media publications (Эхо Кавказа, Jam-news) which are financed by the West.

Who is being Detained at the “Border” and Why?

Recently, there has been an increase in cases when journalists, civic activists and citizens criticizing the de facto government of Abkhazia have been stopped at the so-called border of Russia-Abkhazia for several hours and sometimes even inquired about their political views. It is widely believed that Russian border guards carry out such temporary detentions based on lists provided by the de facto government in order to put pressure on people criticizing the de facto government. The Public Defender Anas Kishmariya was also approached on this issue.

When Will the Russian Naval Base in Ochamchire Start Operation?

In an interview to RIA Novosti on January 12, the Secretary of Abkhazia's de facto Security Council, Sergey Shamba, said that the work of the permanent base of the Russian Navy in Abkhazia could begin this year. “Although only design works are being carried out in Ochamchire, the base can start operation this year. It is difficult for me to say when the base will start and exactly what will be there.”

On October 4, 2023, after a meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin on the same day, in an interview with the Russian news portal Izvestiia, the de facto President Aslan Bzhania announced the opening of the permanent base of the Russian Navy in Ochamchire. According to the BBC, after the start of Russia's full-scale military operation in Ukraine, certain changes were made in the port of Ochamchire. This is also visible on satellite images - three new pieces of infrastructure, which were not visible before, were added to the port in 2023.

Foreign Activity of the Occupied Regions

• On January 17-20, a tournament of firefighters was held in Bobruisk with the participation of firefighters from Russia, Belarus, Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region.
• On January 23, Nodar Shonia was appointed as the Special Representative of Abkhazia's de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Interaction with the Siberian Federal District. Shonia is the director of SELF construction holding, one of the largest in the region which is involved in the restoration of social infrastructure in the Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine.

Nodar Shonia

• On January 22, Ardzinba held an online meeting with the Russian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Timur Zabirov. As Ardzinba stated, a working group was set up to develop relations with the Emirates. The Middle East is a special target for de facto government's “foreign policy.” Ardzinba hopes that Moscow will help Sokhumi to establish relations with Arab countries.
• On January 20, Ardzinba declared his support for Syria in connection with the Israeli missile attack on Damascus. According to him, the explosion occurred near a building of the Abkhaz “Embassy.”
• The Embassy of Abkhazia in Syria joined the Syrian Diplomatic Club. The Syrian diplomatic club is represented mainly by spouses of the heads of diplomatic missions.
• A consular section was opened in the Abkhaz “Embassy” in Syria.

Aslan Bzhania's Priorities

On January 27, the de facto President of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, spoke about the priorities of 2024:

• Strengthening the defense capability of Abkhazia.
• Strengthening the economy by the dynamic development of agriculture.
• The development of transport infrastructure, especially the construction of Sokhumi Airport was set as a priority.
• Timely solution of the unemployment which is an acute problem.
• Increasing the payment rate for electricity consumption is also a priority.

Fuel Crisis

A December 16, 2023 decision of the Russian government resulted in a fuel crisis in the occupied regions. The decision provided Rosneft and its subsidiaries the exclusive right to export oil products to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region for six months.

The problem has become relevant since December 21. Due to the new regulation, companies that had previously signed contracts and paid money cannot bring purchased oil products to the occupied regions. Because of this, Azid, the largest importer of oil products in Abkhazia, stopped selling oil products at its gas stations before the New Year. Even small companies faced problems. There are 11 importers of oil products in Abkhazia. During the crisis only Rosneft-Abkhazia and Apsni Oil are working smoothly. Abkhazia consumes about 100 thousand tons of fuel annually.

The de facto parliament discussed the issue of the fuel crisis on January 18. On January 24, employees of the oil products importer companies organized an action in Sokhumi and took part in “parliamentary” discussions. In addition to restrictions on the purchase of fuel, the created crisis caused problems in terms of paying salaries to employees and paying taxes into the “budget.” To solve the problem, Aslan Bzhania departed for Moscow on January 30.

Employees of the Oil Products Importer Company Participating in the Action in Sokhumi

Energy Crisis

The year 2024, like previous years, began with an energy crisis in Abkhazia. Restrictions on electricity supply were also introduced in some districts. This was due to both a decrease in the receipt of electricity from Russia and low water levels in the Jvari reservoir. On January 30, a representative of Chernomorenergo said that the blackouts would continue for an indefinite period of time because Russia would not be able to supply the required amount of electricity every day.

One of the reasons for the crisis is the accumulated arrears for electricity consumption. Since 2014, arrears of over RUB 5 billion has been accumulated of which the debt of the population is RUB 4 billion 700 thousand. In 2023, Abkhazia consumed 2 billion 600 thousand kilowatt-hours, for which RUB 935 million was paid, and the debt is RUB 1 billion 663 million of which 81.4% is the population’s debt. Compared to previous years, payments have improved, mainly due to the installation of 22.5 thousand meters in cities. It is planned to install another 30 thousand meters in 2024.

One of the reasons for the crisis is also considered to be the low tariff for electricity consumption, which, according to the de facto government, does not provide opportunities for energy development. From 2024, the tariff was increased and totals RUB 1.8 per kilowatt-hour for individuals, RUB 2.6 for legal entities and RUB 4 for cryptocurrency producers. According to a de facto government decision in 2022, the tax will gradually increase until 2026.

Fire in the Gallery

On January 21, at 4:00 am, a fire broke out in the Central Exhibition Hall of the Artists' Union building in Sokhumi. According to the de facto acting Minister of Culture Dinara Smiri, “the gold fund of Abkhaz artists is under threat.” “This is an irreparable loss for us. It is impossible to estimate the damage that has been done to the Abkhaz culture,” Suram Sakania, the Director of the “National Picture Gallery,” added. The Russian Culture Minister, Olga Lyubimova, called the fire “a real tragedy.”

Reportedly, approximately 4,000 works were damaged, including 300 works of Alexander Chachba-Shervashidze which were completely destroyed. About 200 paintings survived. The President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, responded to the event saying: “I regret this, which is a direct result of the neglect of cultural identity by both the de facto leadership and the Russian occupiers. I call on the international community to focus on the issue of protecting our cultural heritage in the occupied territories of Georgia.“ The National Museum of Georgia expressed its readiness to assist in the restoration of damaged exhibits, however the offer was left without a response in Sokhumi. A group of Russian restorers has already been involved in the restoration process.

Why did the Revenues of Abkhaz Railway Increase?

During the last three years, the revenues of Abkhazian Railway have increased seven times. According to a representative of the company, the income from railway services amounted to RUB 490 million in 2023, while this number totaled RUB 250 million in 2022, RUB 175 million in 2021, and RUB 68 million - in 2020. The increase in revenues and cargo transportation cannot be the result of economic activity in Abkhazia alone. It is most likely due to Russia's use of Abkhazia as an illegal transit corridor. In the context of sanctions, Russia is trying to use all possible ways to circumvent sanctions.

A significant part of revenues comes from freight transportation. In 2023, Abkhazia received 14 thousand freight cars, which is 4 thousand more than in 2022. In 2023, a container train was received for the first time. In particular, rail transportation of construction materials, fuel and food products increased. Coal which is transited to Turkey in the amount of over 600 thousand tons occupies the main place in shipments. Although Turkey officially supports the territorial integrity of Georgia, Turkish companies are reportedly among the participants in the transit trade.