Below is the weekly digest of key developments and discourses in and around the occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/South Ossetia, as well as those concerning Tbilisi–Moscow relations.
Sokhumi
- Georgian Citizen Sentenced to One Year for Crossing Abkhazia’s ‘Border‘
The so-called prosecutor general’s office of occupied Abkhazia said Georgian citizen Giorgi Tsatava was sentenced to one year in a penal colony by a court in Gali, which found him guilty of “illegally crossing the state border” from Tbilisi-controlled territory. The verdict was delivered on May 19 by judge K.N. Lasuria. The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) has yet to comment on the reported verdict. Read more.
- Verdict Delivered in Natia Bakhtadze Murder Case
A “court” in Tkvarcheli has sentenced Ainar Tsvizhba to 7 years and 6 months in prison in the murder case involving the disappearance and killing of Natia Bakhtadze, a resident of the Gali district. He will serve his sentence in a high-security penal colony.
According to the investigation, on July 28, 2023, a conflict broke out between Tsvizhba and Bakhtadze inside a car in the town of Gali. Tsvizhba struck Bakhtadze a fatal blow to the temple area, after which he transported her body and personal belongings to the third spillway of the Enguri Hydropower Plant, where they were thrown into the river. Tsvizhba admitted guilt. Despite search efforts, Bakhtadze’s body has never been found.
- Gunba Calls for Unity
A “consultative council of political forces” has been established under the de facto Abkhaz leader, Badra Gunba, with its first meeting already held. The “council” aims to unite political forces and public organizations in addressing key social and economic challenges and promoting Abkhazia’s “development”.
“We have the opportunity to openly and respectfully raise all the pressing issues that concern our society. We are one people, we share one common home, and our fundamental goals are no different. The main ones are preserving the status of an independent state, protecting sovereignty, and creating favorable living conditions for our citizens”, Gunba said during the meeting.
Among those attending were Amtsakhara party chairman Alexey Tsugba, head of the Veterans’ Organization Aruaa Timur Gulia, Forum for National Unity party chairman Aslan Bartsyts, and Aitaira deputy chairman Yulian Bobua.
Notably absent from the meeting were the Abkhaz People’s Movement, headed by Adgur Ardzinba, Gunba’s main rival in the last “presidential elections,” who recently reappeared in Abkhaz political life, as well as Kan Kvarchia, leader of the opposition Aidgylara party and a de facto member of parliament. Their position on joining the “council” remains unclear.
- Russia Appoints New “Ambassador” to Abkhazia
Vyacheslav Gladkov, the former governor of Russia’s Belgorod region, will be appointed as Russia’s new “ambassador” to Abkhazia following his recent resignation.
Until now, Russian “ambassadors” to Abkhazia have typically been career diplomats. Gladkov, by contrast, has no experience in the diplomatic service and has mainly held positions in regional and local government.
As a region bordering Ukraine, Belgorod has repeatedly been targeted by Ukrainian military strikes, making it and its governor politically significant for President Vladimir Putin. Gladkov’s appointment is therefore viewed as a “retirement reward” posting. A Kremlin source, anonymously cited by Abkhaz social media, said the post “is not a bad career path if you want to take a breath” and is not considered particularly demanding, while still keeping the holder within the framework of state policy.
- Gunba Marks First Year in Office
Badra Gunba held a more than two-hour press conference with Abkhaz media, dedicated to the results of his first year in office. Journalists asked up to 30 questions covering “domestic and foreign policy”, socio-economic issues, energy, “governance”, repatriation, youth policy, and major infrastructure projects.
Presenting key outcomes, Gunba said Abkhazia’s GDP in 2025 grew by more than 30%, while budget revenues reached 21.7 billion rubles – a 38% increase compared to previous years. He highlighted social priorities discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin, including child benefits and maternity capital, calling them a key focus of his administration. Gunba also stressed ongoing reforms in the energy sector, including grid modernization, tariff optimization, and installation of metering systems, noting that hundreds of millions of rubles have already been invested in infrastructure upgrades. On “governance”, he said further cabinet reshuffles were likely, arguing that “government structures” must remain flexible to respond to the existing needs.
The Abkhaz leader reiterated openness to dialogue in addressing political and social tensions, stating that key issues should be resolved through discussion rather than street protests that could threaten stability. He also addressed the issue of Russian internal passports, saying the process should not be politicized, and confirmed plans to raise the matter again with Russia’s leadership to resume their issuance in Abkhazia. Gunba emphasized economic development through infrastructure and logistics projects, including the reopening of Sokhumi airport and expanded use of the Ochamchire port for cargo transit, which he said would significantly boost the economy. He also announced stronger measures to combat the shadow economy through wider use of cash registers and tax digitalization, despite resistance from parts of the business community.
Gunba reaffirmed priorities in healthcare, education, and protection of the Abkhaz language, while also outlining plans to strengthen internal security and improve the image of Abkhazia as a safe tourist destination. It is noteworthy that critical media outlets, including “Nuzhnaya Gazeta” and “Aiashara,” were not invited to the press conference. The “deputy head” of Gunba’s administration said the invitations to critical media were simply “forgotten”.
- Bartsits Holds Talks in Moscow
De facto Foreign Minister of Abkhazia Oleg Bartsits paid a working visit to Moscow, where he held a series of meetings with Russian officials.
During a meeting with Grigory Karasin, Chair of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, Bartsits said Abkhaz-Russian “cooperation” had recently gained additional momentum, with several large-scale infrastructure projects under implementation. He also highlighted coordinated work between the “foreign ministries” of Abkhazia and Russia. Karasin, in turn, stressed the importance of “cooperation” with Abkhazia for maintaining balance and peace in the post-Soviet space.
A meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin took place ahead of the 67th round of the Geneva International Discussions, also attended by participants from Tskhinvali. Discussions were also held with representatives of MGIMO University, where agreement was reached on deepening cooperation through training programs for Abkhaz “diplomats”, expert lectures, and academic exchanges aimed at broader student engagement in Abkhazia.
Making remarks to the press, Bartsits said that the situation along the ABL [occupation line] remains stable, emphasizing that “Abkhaz border guards, together with Russian counterparts, are carrying out a full range of measures to ensure security and control”. He added that at the upcoming GID round, Abkhaz participants will once again reaffirm their commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic settlement and continue to insist on a non-use-of-force agreement with Tbilisi.
The “foreign minister” also addressed the “transit” issue, noting that “questions related to railway communication and transit are currently quite complicated due to Georgia’s non-constructive position, which denies the existing realities.”
Tskhinvali
- Moscow and Tskhinvali Expedite Ratification of Signed Agreement
Following the signing on May 9 in Moscow of the so-called “treaty” between Russia and the occupied Tskhinvali region “on deepening allied cooperation,” the parties are actively working on its ratification. Over the past two weeks, the document has already been ratified by the State Duma and the Federation Council of the Russian Federation. Similar steps were taken in Tskhinvali. On May 21, following the ratification of the agreement by the “parliament” of the occupied region, the region’s leader, Alan Gagloev, signed the document that same day.
At the same time, since the signing, comments in support of the document signed in Moscow have been actively published on the RES news agency’s website (cominf.org). These comments come from both current officials and former leaders, political parties, and individual political representatives. Among current members of the executive branch, “Foreign Minister” Akhsar Dzhioev and “Minister of Justice” Alan Dzhioev have stated their positions on the agreement.
Among former regional leaders, individual comments have been published on behalf of Eduard Kokoity and Leonid Tibilov. Political parties are also represented in the list of actors: the political party Unity and the Communist Party have issued separate statements on this issue. The “treaty” has been condemned by officials and observers in Tbilisi, who see it as another step towards the de facto annexation of the region by Moscow.
- Tskhinvali “KGB” Speaks of External Attempts to Discredit Agreement with Russia
The occupied Tskhinvali region’s security service (KGB) stated that Western entities are attempting to discredit the so-called agreement between Russia and the region, signed on May 9 in Moscow. According to the agency, such actions are being carried out through political parties and non-governmental organizations controlled by Georgia. The statement notes that false information about the document’s content is being disseminated, including via social media and messaging apps. “The aim of these actions is to undermine trust in the strategic partnership between South Ossetia and Russia. In this regard, the KGB urges citizens of the republic to remain vigilant,” the agency notes.
- Kokoity Speaks about Developments of the 1990s and Historical Memory
In two articles for the RES news agency, Eduard Kokoity, former leader of the occupied Tskhinvali region, focuses on issues of historical memory, national identity, and assessments of past conflicts. In one of his comments, he speaks of the need to consolidate society and preserve traditions, noting the complex international situation and the challenges facing young people. “The norms of international law, in essence, no longer exist. It has deteriorated to such an extent that today no one lives by it,” Kokoity noted.
In the second article, the focus is on the events of the 1990s. Kokoity characterizes the “Zara, Tsinagari, and Eredvi tragedies” as dark episodes in history and links them to the actions of the Georgian side. According to him, “the criminals who committed atrocities against the Ossetian population were eliminated by the republic’s special services.” He warned against “forgetting the facts of the 1920 genocide of the Ossetians,” noting that disregarding the lessons of the past inevitably leads to new tragedies, and cited the chain of conflicts that followed those events a century ago as an example.
- Gagloev, Abkhaz Delegation Discuss Cooperation between Law Enforcement Agencies
On May 19, Alan Gagloev, leader of the occupied Tskhinvali region, held a meeting with a delegation from the law enforcement agencies of occupied Abkhazia who arrived in Tskhinvali to exchange experiences. The delegation included Robert Kiut, “deputy prime minister and minister of internal affairs” of occupied Abkhazia, as well as Sergey Golenkov, representative of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in Abkhazia, and Police Colonel Yuri Maryshev, director of the “Joint Information and Coordination Center of the Internal Affairs Agencies of Abkhazia.”
The main purpose of the visit was to study the work of a similar center operating in the Tskhinvali region, with a view to establishing one in Abkhazia. During the meeting, issues of law enforcement coordination and the importance of an expert base for solving crimes were discussed. Gagloev noted the high level of cooperation between the agencies and emphasized the shared historical and political ties with Russia. Representatives of the Abkhaz side expressed interest in utilizing this experience and confirmed their intention to develop security cooperation between the two regions.
- Gassiev Discusses Spiritual Ties and Role of Orthodoxy with Metropolitan Tikhon in Crimea
Znaur Gassiev, the “ambassador” of the occupied Tskhinvali region to Russia, visited New Chersonesos in occupied Sevastopol (Crimea, Ukraine) at the invitation of Metropolitan Tikhon and took part in a festive liturgy dedicated to the Baptism of Prince Vladimir. As part of the visit, a meeting was held to discuss spiritual and historical ties. Gassiev noted the significance of Orthodoxy as the foundation of the Ossetians’ national identity and emphasized the commonality of religious traditions with Russia. Attention was also drawn to the coincidence of the church celebrations with a local religious holiday in Tskhinvali.
- Tskhinvali ‘Defense Ministry’ Updates Its Regulatory Framework in Accordance with Russian Standards
The “ministry of defense” of the occupied Tskhinvali region has carried out a series of measures to develop and approve, in accordance with established procedures, documents regulating the peacetime and wartime activities of the armed forces. As reported by the agency’s press service, guidelines, manuals, instructions, and regulations have been developed for all areas of activity, defining the requirements for all structural units of the agency. The “ministry” notes that methodological assistance in preparing the documents was provided by Russian colleagues, and oversight was carried out under the leadership of “defense minister” Lieutenant General Yuri Yarovitsky. Particular attention was paid to bringing the regulatory framework into line with the standards of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, considering the specific characteristics of the local army.
Moscow-Tbilisi
- Karasin Speaks of Prospects for Resuming Dialogue between Moscow and Tbilisi
Grigory Karasin, head of the Russian Federation Council’s Committee on International Affairs, stated that there is a positive trend in relations between Russia and Georgia and suggested the possibility of returning to the issue of restoring diplomatic relations. According to him, despite the absence of official contacts, de facto diplomatic ties are maintained through Swiss mediation. Karasin also noted the development of practical cooperation, including in the tourism sector and the resolution of specific economic issues. At the same time, he emphasized that a number of factors requiring further discussion remain before full-fledged relations can be restored.
- Karasin: Georgia Ignored Western Calls to Open ‘Second Front’ against Russia
Karasin also stated that Georgia did not support Western countries’ calls to open a “second front” against Russia. According to him, Tbilisi maintained a reserved stance and effectively ignored such proposals. Karasin noted that he attributes this line of conduct to changes in Georgian policy following the events of 2008, which made the country more cautious and pragmatic. “And that is precisely why it responded with silence to calls to open a second front or simply to confront Russia,” he stated. According to him, refraining from escalation is in the interests of Georgia’s own stability and security. “The decision was definitely the right one,” he added. Earlier, in an interview with TASS, Mikhail Kalugin, director of the Fourth Department for CIS Countries at the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that the Georgian authorities had publicly acknowledged that the West had demanded the opening of a second front against Russia.
- ‘Katyusha’ in Tbilisi
Backlash followed in Georgia after the Russian Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy reported that “on May 14, a concert dedicated to the 81st anniversary of the Great [WWII] Victory was held with great success” on the stage of Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Theatre. According to the statement, students of the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS) delivered performances to wartime songs, including Katyusha, Dark Night [Темная ночь], and The Blue Kerchief [Синий платочек], which, the announcement said, “resonated deeply with the audience.” Later, a video also emerged of the group performing Katyusha. Critics want to know whether Georgian authorities, and the Culture Ministry in particular, were aware of or authorized the performance.
- Olisov on Memory of World War II in Georgia: Youth Participation and Russia’s Role
In an interview with RIA Novosti, Dmitry Olisov, head of the Russian Federation’s Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy in Georgia, spoke about efforts to preserve the memory of the Great Patriotic War and the role of this topic in Russian-Georgian relations. He noted that the Russian side organizes annual celebrations for veterans, provides them with support, and participates in the maintenance of war memorials in Georgia. The events also include exhibitions and commemorative activities aimed at preserving historical memory.
Olisov emphasized that, despite a gradual decline in interest among some young people, there are still young people in Georgia who honor the memory of the war and participate in initiatives such as the “Immortal Army of Georgia.” He cited examples of Georgian citizens’ participation in cultural and artistic initiatives related to the theme of the war.
According to him, special attention is being paid to efforts in Russia to perpetuate the memory of Georgian soldiers who died on Russian territory. The diplomat stated that search and memorial projects aimed at identifying the names of the fallen are currently underway. Olisov also noted that the memory of the war can remain a unifying factor for different peoples, emphasizing the contribution of all the republics of the USSR to the common victory.
- Zatulin: Georgia Ignores EU Pressure and Refuses to Cut Ties with Russia
Konstantin Zatulin, chairman of the Russian State Duma’s CIS Affairs Committee, stated that Georgia, despite pressure from the European Union, does not intend to sever transport ties with Russia or join the sanctions. According to him, Brussels is demanding that Tbilisi suspend air service, impose restrictions, and adopt an anti-Russia stance, which he described as attempts at political pressure.
Zatulin noted that the Georgian authorities are maintaining a more restrained course, focusing on their own national interests and avoiding direct confrontation with Moscow. He also attributed this stance to the experience of past years and Tbilisi’s general political caution. At the same time, the MP emphasized that relations between Russia and Georgia remain complicated, including the absence of diplomatic ties and disagreements over the Tskhinvali region and Abkhazia. However, in his view, Georgia’s current leadership is not prepared to allow the situation to escalate sharply.
Furthermore, he noted that pressure from the EU, which he said is aimed at drawing Georgia into a confrontation with Russia, stressing that such steps run counter to the country’s own interests.
Also Read:
- 08/05/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – May 1-7, 2026
- 01/05/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – April 24-30, 2026
- 24/04/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – April 17-23, 2026
- 17/04/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – April 10-16, 2026
- 10/04/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – April 3-9, 2026
