Day: August 5, 2025
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Moscow Calling – August 5
Kadyrov’s mother awarded for services to Kherson region
Vladimir Saldo, the head of the Russian administration in the occupied part of the Kherson region, awarded Ramzan Kadyrov’s mother, Aimani Kadyrova, with the Order of Merit for the Kherson Region, 1st degree, TASS reports. Magomed Daudov, the head of the Moscow-controlled “regional government,” presented the award and emphasized that Kadyrova had made a “personal contribution to strengthening military cooperation” and “assisted in solving problems during a special military operation in the region.” The ceremony took place on Kadyrova’s birthday (TASS).
Intended effect:
The material aims to legitimize the Russian administration in occupied Ukrainian territories, including symbolic “awards” for participating in the special military operation. It also highlights the contributions of Chechen agencies to the Russian military campaign and portrays Aimani Kadyrova as a national philanthropist.
TASS: Romania declares crisis over contaminated Azerbaijani oil
Romanian company OMV Petrom has refused to accept 184,000 tons of Azerbaijani oil contaminated with organic chlorides during loading at the Turkish port of Ceyhan, TASS reports, citing the Romanian Ministry of Energy. The contaminated raw materials were intended for the Petrobrazi oil refinery in Ploiești. According to TASS, in connection with the situation, the country’s authorities have declared an energy emergency to compensate for the fuel shortage from the national reserve. Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan said that OMV Petrom received 80,000 tons of crude oil and 30,000 tons of diesel fuel from state reserves, which is less than 5.5% of their volume. According to him, reserves exceed 2 million tons and will be restored within 60 days (TASS).
Intended effect:
The material can be used to discredit energy supplies from Azerbaijan and via Turkey, as well as an argument in favor of the reliability of Russian energy flows. It reinforces the perception that the EU’s energy security is unstable without Russia’s participation.
RIA: Trump’s ultimatum and Witcoff’s fifth visit to Moscow – an attempt to exert pressure or a gesture of desperation
Petr Akopov, a columnist at RIA Novosti, writes that amid threats to impose new sanctions against Russia, Donald Trump is sending his envoy Steve Witcoff to Moscow. This is Witkoff’s fifth visit, but according to the author, there are no real grounds for expecting a breakthrough: Russia’s position on Ukraine remains unchanged – an end to Western military aid, Ukraine’s refusal to join NATO, and the transfer of the remaining territories of the new federal subjects to Russia. According to Akopov, these conditions were announced long ago and are not subject to negotiation. He also claims that Trump has mistakenly interpreted signals from Moscow as a willingness to compromise and is now faced with the fact that his threats of sanctions are unlikely to work – neither India nor China will give up Russian energy supplies. Pressure on allies can only undermine trust in the U.S., especially in trade agreement negotiations. At the same time, Trump’s real steps remain demonstrative, while Russia, according to Akopov, continues its offensive and does not change its strategic goals (ria.ru).
Intended effect:
The material conveys the idea that Russia is taking a firm and consistent position, while the U.S. is acting impulsively and without a clear plan. This undermines confidence in Trump’s initiatives, reinforces the perception of Western diplomatic weakness, and strengthens the internal legitimacy of continuing the special military operation.
RIA: Human rights activists appeal to Catholicos Garegin II amid Church-government conflict
Representatives of the “Five Human Rights Defenders” initiative presented Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II with their proposals for protecting the rights of the Church, RIA Novosti reports, citing the press office of the Armenian Apostolic Church. During the meeting, they discussed what they called an “illegal campaign” launched by the Armenian government against the Church and its clergy. The Catholicos expressed his gratitude for the initiative. RIA Novosti notes that the conflict between Yerevan and the Armenian Apostolic Church escalated after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made offensive statements against the Church on social media and proposed changing the procedure for electing the Catholicos, giving the state a decisive role. Later, businessman Samvel Karapetyan and Archbishops Bagrat Galstanyan and Mikael Ajapahyan were arrested; the latter is accused of calling for the seizure of power (ria.ru).
Intended effect:
The material highlights the growing confrontation between the secular government and the Armenian Apostolic Church, creating an image of Pashinyan’s repressive regime and politically motivated persecution. This could lead to increased distrust of the Armenian government within the country and in the diaspora, as well as undermine its legitimacy.
Italian senator on Georgian political prisoners
On 4 August, during a hearing in the Italian Senate, Senator Marco Lombardo spoke about the ongoing repression in Georgia, focusing in particular on the cases of Mzia Amaghlobeli and Nino Datashvili. According to him, the two are not criminals, but political prisoners — and “Georgian Dream is a regime.”
What Marco Lombardo said
“I would like to present to the Senate the case of Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli. She was arrested in January after slapping police officer Irakli Dgebuadze. The slap came in response to physical abuse, insults, and being spat on. She was denied water and access to the toilet.
This slap led to her arrest, which has now lasted seven months. She faces up to seven years in prison.
Today, she was offered a plea deal — a chance to go free — but she refused, saying it would be like ‘being buried alive.’
I would like to read her closing words in court, which show extraordinary courage:
‘Don’t lose heart! I believe in you. I believe that no matter how hostile or dangerous your environment, your every step will be dignified and aimed at defending freedom of thought and speech.’
Let me repeat: Mzia faces up to seven years in prison for a single slap.
And today, the court postponed her sentencing until 6 August.
On 4 August, the court hearing in the case of Mzia Amaghlobeli — director and founder of the independent Georgian media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti — lasted just 30 minutes. Amaghlobeli gave her final statement, after which the judge adjourned the hearing until 2 p.m. on 6 August. The verdict is expected to be announced then.
Another political prisoner, Nino Datashvili — a teacher — may be transferred to a psychiatric hospital on the grounds of “mental instability.” But her mind is clear, free, and independent.
Her voice may tremble with emotion, but her spirit is unbroken — she refuses to bow to injustice. The use of mental health as a weapon of political repression is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes.
Nino Datashvili was arrested on 20 June in connection with an incident that took place on 9 June at Tbilisi City Court. She is charged under Article 353, Part 3 of Georgia’s Criminal Code — assaulting a public official while they are carrying out their duties, specifically an attack on a court bailiff. The offence carries a penalty of either a fine or a prison term of 4 to 7 years.
On 2 August, the human rights group Partnership for Human Rights reported that the prosecution had requested a psychiatric evaluation of Datashvili, an activist and teacher. The court approved the request.
According to her lawyers, if Datashvili refuses to undergo the assessment, the authorities may impose coercive measures.
“This means the court has authorised the forced transfer of Nino Datashvili to a psychiatric facility,” said her lawyer, Tamar Gabodze.
Mzia Amaghlobeli and Nino Datashvili are not criminals — they are political prisoners. Georgian Dream is not a legitimate government, but a regime.
When some members of the Italian government say they’ve met with representatives of the Georgian “government” because “we cannot leave the Georgian government in Russia’s hands,” I think: our duty — our moral responsibility — is not to protect the Georgian government, but to make sure the Georgian people are not left in Russia’s hands.
These young people are asking for nothing more than democracy, freedom, and peace.
Our task is to say to them:
“Be strong — you are not alone!”“
News in Georgia