Article is available in Georgian.

Article is available in Georgian.

On March 26, the Minister of Education of the occupied Abkhazia, Inal Gablia, met with Russia’s Minister of Education, Sergey Kravtsov. The meeting discussed the implementation of a long-term cooperation memorandum and the roadmap for joint activities planned for 2025. The memorandum and roadmap were signed in February 2025.

Article is available in Georgian.

Article is available in Georgian.

On March 14, Russia's Minister of Economic Development, Maxim Reshetnikov, visited the Tskhinvali region. This was Reshetnikov’s first visit to the Tskhinvali region, although he frequently travels to Abkhazia. During the visit, Reshetnikov met with de facto leaders and inspected investment projects funded by Russia. The Russian delegation included Reshetnikov’s Deputy Dmitry Volvach and Head of the Division for Special Programs and Projects Anton Melnik.

Article is available in Georgia.

On March 1, 2025, Kremlin favorite Badra Gunba won the second round of illegitimate presidential elections in Russian-occupied Abkhazia. The very next day, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Gunba on his victory, forcing Gunba’s opponents to accept their defeat and face the fact they will have to wait for a new chance at political revenge.

Article is available in Georgian

The year 2024 concluded with a political crisis in Russian-occupied Abkhazia, culminating in the resignation of the de facto president, Aslan Bzhania. It marks yet another instance where the “president” of the occupied region was forced to step down before completing his term.

On January 31, the Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration, Sergey Kiriyenko, visited occupied Abkhazia. Kiriyenko is an influential figure in the Russian government. Reportedly, he will oversee the occupied regions. Interestingly, Kiriyenko was born in Sokhumi in 1962.

In 2024, a significant infrastructure project commenced in the area surrounding the Ochamchire port. According to Oktay Khazirish, advisor to the de facto Minister of Economy, the construction of a container terminal at Ochamchire is nearing completion.

The "foreign policy" of the occupied regions is heavily reliant on Russia’s political, diplomatic, and logistical support. A formal agreement also establishes the legal framework for cooperation in foreign affairs between Moscow and the occupied regions. On October 3, 2023, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, and the de facto Foreign Minister of Abkhazia, Inal Ardzinba, signed a “Plan of Consultations between the Diplomatic Agencies for 2024-2025.” A similar agreement was signed by Lavrov and Akhsar Jioev, the de facto Foreign Minister of the Tskhinvali region.

In 2024, most of the officials overseeing the occupied regions within the Russian government retained their positions. Dmitry Kozak, the Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, has supervised the direction of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region since 2020. Kozak, one of the most influential officials overseeing matters related to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, remains the central figure with whom the de facto leaders of both regions must coordinate and secure approval from for significant decisions.

Resolutions and Decisions of International Organizations: 2024