Day: March 7, 2026

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

• 30 Drones Detected Over Abkhazia

30 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were detected in the airspace over Abkhazia on March 4. According to Adgur Gumba, the de facto commander of Abkhazia’s Air Force and Air Defense, 99% of them were destroyed through the joint operation of Abkhaz and Russian air defense systems. Debris from the drones was reportedly found in 11 populated areas. The incident was assessed as an “unprecedented large-scale drone incursion.”

Following the incident, Badra Gunba, the de facto leader of Abkhazia, held an extraordinary meeting of the so-called Security Council. He tasked security structures with ensuring clear coordination among all agencies involved in responding to similar incidents. Gunba also instructed de facto officials to conduct public outreach to inform residents about necessary safety measures in case such situations recur.

The first drones were reported in Abkhazia in February and appeared to be isolated cases near the de facto border with the Russian Federation. In early March, however, drone activity intensified, with UAVs detected deeper inside the territory, including in Sokhumi, Bichvinta, and Ochamchire. During drone alerts, movement across the “border” is suspended, which has been happening systematically in recent days.

• Abkhazia’s Main Opposition Leader Risks Prison Sentence

The de facto Prosecutor General’s Office of Abkhazia has submitted a request to the “Supreme Court” to strip opposition politician and MP Kan Kvarchia of his “parliamentary immunity”, citing possible elements of a crime. The same request had previously been submitted but was later withdrawn to supplement the case materials. The “court” is now expected to issue its decision within ten days.

Kvarchia appeared at the center of a political scandal in the context of the so-called municipal elections held in November 2025. Several days before the vote, Kvarchia, accompanied by a group of activists and opposition figures, entered the office of Russian political technologists operating in Abkhazia. After a confrontation, the group handed the consultants over to the de facto State Security Service along with what Kvarchia described as evidence of their illegal activities. The consultants were subsequently expelled from Abkhazia and later faced administrative charges for “violating Abkhaz election regulations”.

After leaving Abkhazia, they accused Kvarchia and several others of assault and theft of money during the incident. The case subsequently escalated in Russia, where criminal proceedings were launched against ten Abkhaz nationals. Seven of them, including Kvarchia and his son, were sentenced in absentia to prison terms by a Russian court. It is noteworthy that following last year’s political turmoil in Abkhazia and the subsequent resignation of then-“president” Aslan Bzhania, Kan Kvarchia was deprived of his Russian citizenship.

Abkhazia’s current leader, Badra Gunba, stated that Abkhaz “citizens” would not be extradited to Russia. However, he added that an investigation would be launched in Abkhazia and that those responsible for the incident with Russian political consultants would be held accountable under “Abkhaz legislation”.

• Abkhazia Passes Winter Season Without Rolling Blackouts

According to Timur Djindjolia, Director General of Chernomorenergo, Abkhazia managed to cope effectively with energy challenges last year and passed the autumn-winter period without rolling blackouts, outages, or electricity restrictions, while also significantly reducing the number of accidents in the power grid.

Djindjolia said this became possible due to several measures, including the purchase of commercial electricity imports from Russia in August 2025 to reduce the load on the Enguri HPP, the continued installation of electricity meters, improved collection of electricity payments, and non-repayable Russian assistance in the form of so-called social electricity flows.

He stressed that until the end of March, Russia will supply Abkhazia with an additional volume of electricity, which is expected to return to the Russian energy system once the Enguri HPP reaches peak generation capacity. According to the head of Chernomorenergo, energy officials are now tasked with preparing an operational plan for the Enguri HPP to ensure that by the beginning of 2027 the water level in the reservoir will be higher than it was in January this year. For this purpose, the company plans to resume purchasing commercial electricity imports from Russia starting already in July.

Work on installing electricity meters across Abkhazia is also ongoing. Around 33,000 meters have already been installed, meaning that more than 30% of all subscribers are now equipped with electricity meters. Electricity networks are also slightly upgraded, and recently, a mobile application for paying electricity bills was launched and is available on both iOS and Android devices.

Last winter, Abkhazia faced a severe energy crisis. Due to financial constraints and sanctions imposed by the Kremlin, the region was unable to pay for commercial electricity supplies from Russia, while the water level at the Enguri HPP fell below normal levels to supply the whole of Abkhazia with electricity. As a result, residents received electricity for only four hours and forty minutes per day, often even less due to unexpected emergency outages. The poor condition of Abkhazia’s energy sector is linked to several factors, including outdated infrastructure, cryptocurrency mining, low electricity tariffs, and widespread non-payment for electricity.

• De Facto Government Approves Multiple Health Programs for 2026 with Over $8 Million in Funding

The de facto authorities of Abkhazia have approved several healthcare programs for 2026, allocating funding from the so-called republican budget and extra-budgetary funds to support medical treatment, pharmaceutical supplies, and specialized care. This includes:

• “Treatment of citizens outside and within Abkhazia”, with the budget of 205 million rubles (approximately USD 2.64 million).
• “Centralized procurement of medicines and medical equipment for state medical institutions” with the funding of 250 million rubles (approximately USD 3.23 million).
• Program on strengthening tuberculosis prevention and treatment services. The budget is 8 million rubles (approximately USD 103,000).
• “Treatment of infertility using in vitro fertilization (IVF)”. The program’s budget is 35 million rubles (approximately USD 451,000).
• Kidney replacement therapy program, with the allocated funding of 60 million rubles (approximately USD 774,000).
• A program providing medicines and medical supplies for pregnant women and postpartum patients in hospitals. Its funding is 12.5 million rubles (approximately USD 161,000).
• Chemotherapy assistance program for cancer patients, with a budget of 96.55 million rubles (approximately USD 1.25 million).

• Gali Schools Under Scrutiny

The Abkhaz “pro-government” Telegram channel АМRА‑life has published a post alleging ongoing influence by the Georgian authorities on schools in the Gali district. The post includes schools’ internal documents, as well as official correspondence from directors to the Education Resource Centre of Gali.

According to the post, last year it was revealed that several school directors and teachers in Gali were regularly communicating with the Government [in exile] of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, including providing personal data on the schoolchildren and coordinating the overall education process. The post’s author expresses concern that the de facto authorities’ response was weak, noting that they limited their actions to preventive conversations, with school directors “apologizing as usual”, promising to cease contacts, and the matter effectively considered closed.

The post warns that such activities risk shaping a generation in Gali to view Abkhazia as a temporarily separated part of Georgia, while simultaneously collecting personal data on students and their families and sending talented pupils to study in Georgian-controlled territory, thus potentially undermining Abkhazia’s human capital. The post emphasizes that “Abkhazia’s independence was secured on the battlefield, but its preservation also depends on vigilance in the classroom”. The Engagement Strategy of the Georgian Government, the author argues, is not benign support or goodwill; it is a tool aimed at reclaiming lost territories, functioning most effectively when local authorities fail to intervene.

This is not the first time Gali schools have attracted attention from Telegram users in Abkhazia. Last year, letters from several school directors addressed to Nona Shonia, head of the Gali Education Resource Centre, were widely circulated on social networks. It was also underlined that Gali schools not only receive salaries from Georgian authorities but are also accountable to the Education Ministry of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia.

• Reshetnikov Visits Sokhumi

Russia’s Economic Minister, Maxim Reshetnikov, paid a “one-day working visit” to occupied Abkhazia, where he met with the region’s de facto leader, Badra Gunba, and other so-called officials, according to Apsnypress.

Reshetnikov thanked the Abkhazians for what he described as their support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine and participation in the so-called “special military operation.” He also emphasized the economic ties between Moscow and Sokhumi, stating that “Abkhazia is extremely important for Russia.”

He paid particular attention to developing tourism in Abkhazia and attracting Russian investment to build out tourist infrastructure in the eastern parts of the occupied region. On behalf of Russia, Reshetnikov expressed readiness to continue supporting the region’s economic development.

Tskhinvali

• Gagloev Discusses Drone Situation over Abkhazia with Gunba

The leader of the occupied Tskhinvali region, Alan Gagloev, spoke by phone with Abkhaz leader Badra Gunba following reports that drones had entered Abkhazia’s airspace.

According to the local news agency RES, Gagloev asked Gunba about the current situation and expressed his support. He stressed that Tskhinvali is closely monitoring developments and fully supports the “brotherly republic” in connection with the incident.

• Dzhioev meets Venezuelan Ambassador at Hugo Chávez Memorial Event in Moscow

The head of the “foreign ministry” of the occupied Tskhinvali region, Akhsar Dzhioev, took part in an event in Moscow marking the 13th anniversary of the death of Hugo Chávez, organized by the Venezuelan embassy, while on a working visit to the Russian capital.

On the sidelines of the event, he held a separate meeting with Jesús Rafael Salazar Velásquez, Venezuela’s ambassador to Russia, who is also accredited to “South Ossetia.” According to the local news agency RES, the sides confirmed their interest in further strengthening friendly relations between Tskhinvali and Venezuela.

The ambassador also spoke about the situation in his country and the broader region, as well as about steps taken by the government to stabilize domestic politics.

• Gagloev Discusses Security Issues with Russian Security Council Representative in Moscow

The leader of the occupied Tskhinvali region, Alan Gagloev, held a meeting in Moscow with Rashid Nurgaliyev, First Deputy Secretary of Russia’s Security Council.

According to the local news agency RES, the sides discussed current issues of cooperation between the occupied region and Russia. Particular attention was paid to security matters and strengthening interagency ties. The participants in the meeting confirmed their interest in further expanding cooperation in key areas.

Moscow

• Russian Outlet Accuses Georgian Blogger of Harassing Russian Tourists

The Russian pro-government outlet Regnum published an investigative-style report on March 3 regarding incidents involving tourists from Russia at the Gudauri ski resort. According to the outlet, Georgian blogger and tour company owner Tsotne Japaridze regularly harasses Russian tourists because they speak Russian or display Russian symbols.

The article says that Japaridze allegedly looks for people with the Russian tricolor flag or clothing bearing the word “RUSSIA,” turns on a camera and provokes confrontations, later posting the videos online with insults. According to Regnum, in February he approached a couple in a café, accusing them of supporting Russia and demanding that they remove their clothing, and later provoked a skier wearing an outfit with the Russian coat of arms, threatening him. In another episode mentioned in the report, his supporters allegedly pushed a snowboarder from behind while he was descending the slope.

• Donetsk Court Sentences Georgian Lawyer Beka Basilaia in Absentia

A court in the Russia-occupied Ukrainian region of Donetsk has sentenced Georgian national Beka Basilaia to 14 years in a strict-regime penal colony on allegations of fighting on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces against Russia. Basilaia, a prominent lawyer in Georgia who regularly represents high-profile opposition cases, has been put on an international wanted list.

According to the “court,” Basilaia arrived in Ukraine in March 2022 and joined the Georgian National Legion. He reportedly underwent combat training and fought against Russian forces until autumn 2025. He is accused to have received the equivalent of more than 3.5 million rubles for his “mercenary” activity, and was found guilty under Part 3 of Article 359 of the Russian Criminal Code (mercenarism).

• TASS Reports Detention of Russian Citizen with Large Quantity of Drugs in Marneuli

The Russian state news agency TASS reported on March 4 that a Russian citizen had been detained in the Georgian city of Marneuli. According to Georgia’s Interior Ministry, the man, born in 1963, is accused of the illegal purchase and possession of наркотics in an especially large quantity. During a search, police reportedly seized buprenorphine and dried marijuana. The report notes that the detainee faces up to 20 years in prison.

• Izvestia on Significance of Situation Around Iran for Georgia

The Russian outlet Izvestia writes that a war between the United States and Israel and Iran creates risks for the entire South Caucasus. The article notes that the most serious consequences are expected for Armenia and Azerbaijan, but Georgia could also be affected, as it maintains contacts with Tehran. According to Caucasus expert Artur Ataev, the impact of a weakening Iran on Georgia would be minimal, since Tbilisi has comparatively limited ties with Tehran and depends on it less than other countries in the region.

• Izvestia on Georgia’s NATO Aspirations

In another article published on March 5, the Russian outlet Izvestia writes that, as leading European countries — the United Kingdom, Germany and France — refuse to reconsider the decisions of the 2008 Bucharest Summit, NATO’s “open door” policy remains in force, and the issue of enlargement directly concerns Georgia as well. The article emphasizes that it was at the Bucharest summit that membership was promised to Ukraine and Georgia, and that Russia is demanding the reversal of this decision. Ekaterina Antyukhova, a professor at the Department of Global Political Processes at MGIMO University of the Russian Foreign Ministry, says that attitudes toward joining NATO within Georgia itself are “highly contradictory,” and that the authorities have initiated a discussion on whether such membership is “needed at all.”

According to Alexander Alyoshin, a senior researcher at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tbilisi is balancing between Russia and NATO, and therefore the resumption of active integration at this time “does not correspond to Georgia’s interests.” The article also cites deteriorating relations between Georgia and the European Union, the suspension of accession talks and the rejection of European grants as additional obstacles. It concludes that the prospects for Georgia’s integration into NATO remain uncertain and will depend on the country’s domestic politics.

• Morgoshia: Russia Tried to Draw Jangveladze Into Politics

Konstantine Morgoshia, leader of the far-right Alt-Info group, who was questioned in court in connection with the high-profile killing of businessman Levan Jangveladze, said that Russia had offered Jangveladze’s involvement in political activities related to Georgia-Russia relations.

According to Morgoshia, this possibility worried former Prosecutor General Otar Partskhaladze, who, Morgoshia said, was himself interested in doing that business. Partskhaladze is accused of organizing Jangveladze’s murder.

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