Monthly Review

Review of Kremlin Policy in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region

2019 / 09 / 01

In August 2019 President of Russia met de facto leader of Abkhazia. Russian MPs monitoring „elections“ in Abkhazia. Russia financing modernization of de facto armed forces of Abkhazia. You will be able to learn about important developments of August 2019, connected to the Kremlin’s policies in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region.

August was loaded with symbolic dates in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region. Dates of August 2008 War and Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region independence recognition by Russia was marked in both regions occupied by Russia. This year events were held without participation of Russian high rank officials. Number of Russian MPs in Abkhazia was only observed during illegitimate elections.

August 2019 Important Developments Shortly:

  • Abkhazian elections: During the pre-election period, President of Russia met with de facto leader of Abkhazia.
  • Curator visit: Deputy Minister of North Caucasus Affairs checked progress of ongoing projects in Abkhazia.
  • Military exercises: Divisions of anti-aircraft missile complexes, dislocated in Abkhazia, exercised in Moscow district.
  • Cooperation in the field of security: Russia will finance modernization of Abkhazian armed forces.
  • Cooperation in the field of economy: Russia will support Abkhazia to rehabilitate Sokhumi airport.
  • Cooperation in the field of agriculture: Russia will support Abkhazia in pest management.
  • Cooperation with regions of Russia: Tskhinvali Region is developing relations with Crimea annexed by Russia.
  • Soft power: National Flag Day of Russia was marked in Tskhinvali.

Elections and Russia

Representatives of the State Duma and the Federation Council of Russia monitored illegitimate presidential elections held in Abkhazia on August 25, 2019. No violations observed during Abkhazian „elections“.

According to Konstantin Zatulin, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots, „elections are Abkhaz people internal affair and Moscow respects any of their choices“. He called upon political groups to remain calm, stating that elections should not cause destabilization. According to Farit Mukhametshin, Deputy Head of Foreign Affairs Committee, head of Senators delegation, elections were open, democratic, in accordance with the electoral legislation.

Shortly before the elections, on August 6, 2019, in Sochi, Raul Khajimba, de facto President of Abkhazia, met with Vladimir Putin, President of Russian Federation. During the meeting, Putin paid special attention to scheduled illegitimate presidential elections. Putin did not demonstrate open support for Khajimba’s candidacy, however Khajimba-Putin meeting during the pre-election period was regarded as Putin’s indirect support for his candidacy. According to the illegitimate election results, on September 8 will be held the second round where Khajimba will have to face strong opposition to determine the winner. In the first round, Khajimba received 24.83% of votes, while Alkhas Kvitsinia, leader of the opposition party „Amtsakhara“, received - 22.91%.

Curator Visit

On August 22, 2019, Igor Koshin, Deputy Minister of North Caucasus Affairs of Russian Federation, curator to Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region, visited Abkhazia. Koshin observed ongoing constructions of social and infrastructure facilities (schools in Gagra and village Likhni, kindergarten in New Athos, central district hospital in Tkvarcheli district) ongoing under Investment Program of 2017-2019 promoting socio-economic development of Abkhazia and with de facto government of Abkhazia discussed issues of socio-economic cooperation between Russia and Abkhazia.

Military Exercises

Military exercises at the 7th military base in Abkhazia

  • Servicemen of motorised infantry and artillery units repelled conditional enemy attack in mountainous areas.
  • Divisions of anti-aircraft missile complexes participated in 10-day event at the Training Center in Moscow District. Divisions exercised to repulse conditional enemy missile and air attacks at Kapustin Yar and Ashuluk polygons, in Astrakhan Oblast.
  • Tank-men of military base underwent modern tanks (T-72B3) underwater driving training course at Prubdoi Military Polygon, Volgograd Oblast.
  • Military base servicemen repelled conditional enemy attack in an attempt to seize military equipment. According to the exercises scenario „terrorists“  infiltrated military city territory and attempted to seize combat vehicles.
  • As part of tactical-special exercises, military base reconnaissance units exercised to detect and destroy conditional enemy. Reconnaissance groups utilized modern systems of digital communication - „Грот-М“ and navigation, command and communication complexes - „Стрелец“.

Military exercises at the 4th military base in Tskhinvali Region

  • Military servicemen of the de facto Ministry of Defence of Tskhinvali Region and the 4th military base of Russian Federation conducted joint command staff exercises.

Cooperation in the Field of Security

On August 23, 2019, in Moscow, Merab Kishmaria, de facto Minister of Defence of Abkhazia, met with Sergei Shoigu, Minister of Defence of Russian Federation. Joint agreement on developing military and military-technical cooperation and financing modernization of de facto armed forces of Abkhazia was signed at the meeting. The agreement was signed within the framework of Alliance and Strategic Partnership agreement between Russia and Abkhazia.

Cooperation in the Field of Economy

Sokhumi airport awaiting rehabilitation

Recently, the issue of Sokhumi airport rehabilitation has gained relevance. Abkhazian side discussed the issue of organizing air traffic with the representatives of Federal Agency for Air Transport – „Rosaviatsiya“. As to Egor Solomatin , member of Russian delegation and director of Sokhumi Airport investment program, stated potential investor of the project might be private Russian company – „Aeroinvest“. Once Sokhumi airport is open, 5000 passengers will be served per 24 hours. It will take approximately 2 years until the airport becomes fully operational.

On July 26, 2019, before the Russian delegation visited Abkhazia, under the decision of de facto government of Abkhazia, Sokhumi airport was assigned code URAS. The airport was announced as a part of Rostov’s airspace. However actually nobody assigned the code to the airport as only International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which recognizes territorial integrity of Georgia, is eligible for this action.

Cruise connection between Russia and Abkhazia will be soon available

Issue of organizing regular cruise traffic on the Black Sea between Abkhazia and Russia was discussed at the de facto government of Abkhazia. According to the August 3 roadmap, cruise ship „Prince Vladimir“ will  arrive in Sokhumi port for a test run in October and regular cruises are scheduled from 2020.

Oil Products Export will be Simplified from Russia to Tskhinvali Region

By the decision of the government of Russian Federation, export of oil products (excluding natural gas) to Tskhinvali Region will be simplified and will be exported without  temporary periodic customs declaration. Russian government has already voted to ratify respective protocol.

Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture

De facto government of Abkhazia signed agreement on cooperation with Russia in the field of plants quarantine, which will  further intensify pest management. Above mentioned will simplify goods export from Abkhazia to Russia.

Cooperation with Regions of Russia

Tskhinvali Region is very active to deepen relations with Crimea annexed by Russia and Moscow supported self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. In August, de facto Republic State Council of Crimea approved agreement on cooperation with Tskhinvali Region in trade-economic, scientific-technical and cultural fields. During his visit to Crimea, Anatoly Bibilov, de facto President of Tskhinvali Region, discussed possibility of implementing joint projects with Governor of Sevastopol.

Russian Soft Power

Russian Quotas

19 cadets dispatched from de facto Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tskhinvali Region graduated from Krasnodar university of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russian Federation. In 2019, 22 places have been allocated for Tskhinvali Region law enforcements structures at different high institutions under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russian Federation. Since 2009, totally 200 entrants benefited from allocated quotas.

National Flag Day of Russia was marked in Tskhinvali as well

On August 22, in Tskhinvali, at the representation of the Federal Agency for CIS States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Affairs, was marked National Flag Day of Russia. Marat Kulakhmetov, Russian „ambassador“ also participated in the ceremony.