Aleksey Dvinianin, “Ambassador“ of the Russian Federation to Abkhazia, in an interview with Russian News Agency “RIA Novosti“ talked about Russia-Abkhazia relations. During the interview Dvinianin emphasized several important issues:

On April 17, 2019, Aleksey Filatov, under the Directive of the President of the Russian Federation, was appointed on the position of the Head of the Directorate of the Cross-Border Cooperation, previously occupying position of the Deputy to Head of the same Directorate. Under the same Directive Oleg Govorun, Head of the Directorate, resigned. His resignation was announced on April 4. Not much information is available in open sources about Filatov, according to existing information, we might presume, that he knows Tskhinvali Region well.

Anatoly Bibilov, de facto President of Tkhinvali Region, participated in the 5th Yalta International Economic Forum held in Crimea annexed by Russia. Within the framework of the visit, Bibilov  assessed annexation of Crimea by Russia as an absolutely legitimate decision. According to him, Tskhinvali Region should follow the Crimea path and join Russia.

On April 11-16, group of doctors of Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia conducted medical examinations in Tkvarcheli. Totally 1700 persons underwent examinations in Tkvarcheli District. Health condition of the local population was examined by various specialists.

Delegation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation visited de facto Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tskhinvali Region. Aim of the Delegation visit, comprised of the various department members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, is to provide practical support to Tskhinvali.

Military police division of the 7th military Base of Russian Federation in Abkhazia exercised in defencing important facilities from the attack of unmanned aerial vehicles. Recently received large scale machine guns „UTES“ were used in the exercises.

The President of the Russian Federation presented the draft of amendments to the Agreement on Alliance and Integration (March 18, 2015) between the Russian Federation and Tskhinvali Region to the State Duma for ratification. The amendment implies cancelling of existing restrictions on the duration of stay on the territories of Russia and Tskhinvali Region for the citizens.

According to the representative of Russian Railway, during the summer time, three trains will start to operate from Russia to Abkhazia. During June-August train service daily timetable will be available from Moscow and Saint Petersburg and timetable for three-four times a week from Samara during June and July.

Branch of Russian Foundation  „Russkiy Mir“ was opened at “the South Ossetian State University“ in Tskhinvali Region. The foundation was established on June 21, 2017 under the President of Russia decree and aims to internationally popularize Russian language and culture, promote educational programs, maintain and develop Russian language. Vyacheslav Nikonov is the President of the Foundation.

On April 12, 2019, Federation Council Delegation of the Russian Federation visited Tskhinvali Region. The Head of the Delegation was Sergei Tsekov, member of the International Affairs Committee (in the Federation Council representing Russia annexed Crimea), who is the co-chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission between Russia and Tskhinvali Region. The Commission regular meeting was held in Tskhinvali.

Commander of the 58th combined army of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation, Major General Sergei Ryzhjhkov paid working visit to the 4th Military Base of the Russian Federation dislocated in Tkhinvali Region. Ryzhkov personally checked military equipment and the quality of weapons’ exploitation and repair, personnel moral and psychological condition and military discipline, steps taken for military cities development and social welfare in Tskhinvali Region.

Anti-aircraft gunners of the 7th Military Base of the Russian Federation in Abkhazia exercised in protecting important facilities from conditional enemy air and sea missile strikes. The missile complexes took the starting position, arranged the communication and management system and equipment in combat readiness.

On April 12, 2019, in Moscow, Russian representation of Intergovernmental Commission of Socio-Economic Cooperation between the Russian Federation and Tskhinvali Region held working session. The Session was led by Vitaly Mutko - co-chairman of the Commission, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. Sergey Cheboratov, Minister of the North Caucasus Affairs of the Russian Federation also attended the session. The following issues were discussed at the session: Investment Program supporting Tskhinvali Region Socio-Economic Development for 2020-2022, ongoing Investment Program implementation, allocating funds for Tkhinvali Region for 2019.

Two-storied kindergarten (“Fardig“) for 100 children was solemnly opened in Tskhinvli. De facto President of Tskhinvali Region Anatoly Bibilov and the “Ambassador“ of the Russian Federation to Tskhinvali Region Marat Kulakhmetov also attended the event.

Medical cluster in Tskhinvali and more than 20 hospitals in Tskhinvali Region have been constructed with the financial assistance from the Russian Federation. 1.5 billion rubles allocated by the Investment Programs for the promotion of Tskhinvali Region Socio-Economic Development for 2015-2017 have been spent on multi-profile medical cluster construction.