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Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – May 1-7, 2026

Civil.ge Send an email 08/05/2026 - 18:29
6 minutes read

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

  • Changes Sokhumi’s De Facto Government

Changes were announced in Sokhumi’s de facto ministers’ cabinet. Beslan Tsvizhba, a colonel general and veteran of the 90s armed hostilities, replaces Vladimir Anua as “defense minister.” Beslan Pertskhelia, a biologist and technologist with prior experience in local administration and the public chamber, will replace Beslan Jopua as “minister of agriculture”, while Jopua will serve as an advisor to the so-called president.

Astamur Gunia, urologist and former chief physician of the Sokhumi infectious diseases hospital, replaces Eduard Butba as “health minister,” while Kama Adzinba will serve as “minister of social affairs.”

Maya Tsybulevskaya, a participant and winner of the “Team Abkhazia” initiative, has been appointed as “deputy prime minister,” bringing the total number of “vice prime ministers” in the de facto government to five. Alias Avidzba, battalion commander of „Pyatnashka“, has been appointed as aide to de facto presidential.

  • Adgur Ardzinba Reappears in Abkhaz Politics

Adgur Ardzinba, opposition leader and the de facto presidential candidate in 2025, reappeared in Abkhaz politics after more than a year of relative absence from the public political arena following his electoral defeat.

In an interview with journalist Inal Khashig in the program Chegemskaya Pravda, Ardzinba, previously known for his harsh criticism of Russian initiatives in Abkhazia and as the main opponent of the current de facto leader, Badra Gunba, adopted a noticeably softer tone toward Moscow. He positively assessed Gunba’s policy and the current intensification of relations with Russia. Notably, he did not mention the Russian prosecution of de facto MP Kan Kvarchia, his closest ally during the November 2024 protests.

Speaking about relations between Sokhumi and Tbilisi, Ardzinba positively assessed the idea of transit cooperation but argued that the Georgian authorities had effectively rejected such prospects back in 2008 through the adoption of the Law on Occupied Territories. According to him, at the very least, this law must be abolished. He also called for direct dialogue between Sokhumi and Tbilisi, claiming that if the sides fail to reach an agreement themselves, they will merely become instruments in the struggle of great powers.

It remains unclear whether Ardzinba’s return means that he intends to participate in the upcoming so-called parliamentary elections or what role he may seek in Abkhazia’s evolving political landscape. Notably, the interview did not generate significant political reaction or public enthusiasm, possibly due to Ardzinba’s prolonged silence on critical developments in Abkhazia. Many experts increasingly view Kan Kvarchia and his associates as the more active and consistent opposition force, particularly as they continue political activity despite Russian pressure and attempts to exclude them from political life. At the same time, there is growing speculation about possible contacts and rapprochement between Ardzinba and the current de facto authorities.

  • Medications with Georgian Labels Seized in Gali

During an inspection of a pharmacy in Gali, the de facto authorities seized 957 units of medications bearing Georgian-language labels. The medications reportedly lacked the required accompanying documentation. The total value of the confiscated products was estimated at 90,400 Russian rubles (approximately USD 1,220).

  • Criminal case opened over forged certificate for ‘Abkhaz passport’ application

The de facto Prosecutor’s Office of the Gali District has opened a criminal case against Maia Gablaya over the alleged issuance of a forged certificate in exchange for money.

According to the “investigation”, in June 2025, Gablaya allegedly issued a false certificate to resident Evgeny Gegechkori, stating that his son, Tsotne Gegechkori, was studying at secondary school No. 1 in Gali. However, the child did not in fact reside in Abkhazia. The document was allegedly intended for submission to the Gali District passport office of the de facto Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Tskhinvali

  • Alan Gagloev Meets with Sergei Kiriyenko in Moscow

Alan Gagloev, the leader of the occupied Tskhinvali Region, held a working meeting with Sergei Kiriyenko, the first deputy chief of staff of the Russian presidential administration known to oversee Georgia’s occupied territories, in Moscow. According to the local news agency RES, which cited Gagloev’s press service, the meeting covered “current issues of cooperation between South Ossetia and the Russian Federation, as well as the further development of bilateral relations.”  

“Particular attention was paid to the implementation of joint socio-economic projects and the fulfillment of previously reached agreements.” The outlet reports that “issues of cooperation within the republic’s domestic agenda and the prospects for further strengthening the partnership were also raised.”

  • Tskhinvali Reiterates Concern over Laboratories in Georgia, Ukraine

On May 8, the RES news agency in the occupied Tskhinvali region published an article titled “U.S. Biological Laboratories in Ukraine and Georgia Remain a Threat.” The outlet cites Russian officials and experts who claim that these facilities endanger security, public health, and the environment and could be used for dual-use research. The article pays particular attention to the potential handling of dangerous pathogens and the risks of their leakage.

The article notes that the proximity of the Tbilisi-based Lugar Center to the Tskhinvali region raises concerns about its alleged impact on the epidemiological situation.

“The authorities and security agencies of South Ossetia (including the KGB and the Ministry of Defense) have repeatedly stated that the activities of the Lugar Center pose a direct threat to the life and health of the republic’s population. Among the main concerns are experiments that could affect the region’s epidemiological situation, the possible spread of dangerous pathogens, and unusual outbreaks of diseases among plants, animals, and humans in border areas. There is also a risk of using insects, birds, or other migratory biological species to deliver pathogens,” the outlet reports.

The Georgian government has repeatedly denied the allegations and, in 2018, opened the laboratory’s doors to foreign media and experts, though Russian military doctors declined the invitation. That same year, Georgia’s National Center for Disease Control announced that the Lugar Center, currently managed and funded entirely by the Georgian government, was fulfilling its international transparency obligations in accordance with UN conventions.

  • Marat Kulakhmetov Speaks of ‘Victory Day’, Ukraine War

On May 8, the RES news agency published an interview with Marat Kulakhmetov, the Russian “ambassador” to the occupied Tskhinvali region. Kulakhmetov served as commander of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces in the conflict zone in the Tskhinvali region from 2004 to 2008, and he has served as the Russian “ambassador” in Tskhinvali since 2017.

In the interview, Kulakhmetov emphasizes that May 9 remains a symbol of victory over Nazism. He calls for the preservation of historical memory and claims that the West is attempting to rewrite history and downplay the role of the USSR.

He claims that neo-Nazism is on the rise and accuses Western countries of supporting Ukraine. He characterizes Ukrainian authorities as anti-Russian and accuses them of war crimes and discrimination against the Russian language and culture. He also criticizes sanctions against Russia, deeming them harmful to the global economy.

Kulakhmetov asserts that the goals of the “special military operation” [Russia’s war in Ukraine] remain unchanged and emphasizes the need to address the root causes of the conflict. He also notes attempts to restrict the celebration of “Victory Day” abroad and advocates for preserving monuments and historical memory, including through projects in the Tskhinvali region.

  • RES: Sappers Remove Ammunition from Cache Discovered in Tskhinvali

The occupied Tskhinvali region’s “Ministry of Emergency Situations” reported the discovery of a cache of ammunition on the outskirts of the village of Tbeti in the occupied region.  

“Cartridges of 14.5×144 and 7.62×54 calibers were found, in quantities of two and 39 units, respectively,” the agency’s press service said. According to the report, sappers arrived at the scene and seized the ammunition for subsequent disposal. The “ministry” emphasized that the find was promptly neutralized and poses no threat to the population.

Moscow-Tbilisi

  • Former Official Deported from Georgia Detained in Moscow

A Russian citizen, who was wanted internationally and deported from Georgia, was detained at Vnukovo Airport in Moscow, reports RIA Novosti. According to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the individual previously worked at a federal supervisory agency and was convicted in 2016 of acting as an intermediary in a bribery scheme. The investigation revealed that he had received 200,000 rubles and given them to a colleague in exchange for not holding the company director accountable for failing to pay wages. The court sentenced him to 3.5 years in prison, a fine of eight million rubles, and a ban on holding public office. After the verdict was handed down, the man left Russia.

“Thanks to the cooperation between Russian and Georgian law enforcement agencies, the wanted man was deported to the Russian Federation and detained,” a Russian Interior Ministry spokesperson told RIA Novosti.

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Civil.ge Send an email 08/05/2026 - 18:29
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