Anti-Russian Sentiments Are Growing in Abkhazia

Russian–Abkhaz relations are going through a difficult period. The Foreign Ministry of the so-called “republic” recently received a note from its Russian counterparts, and the region is increasingly talking about growing anti-Russian sentiment. In particular, calls have even appeared in the country against the deployment of Russian naval vessels in the port of Ochamchire. The increase in anti-Russian sentiment was also confirmed by the so-called “head” of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, noting that anti-Russian forces in the region “are striking at relations with practically the only ally”.

The situation escalated after an agreement to transfer a complex of state dachas in “Pitsunda” (the city of Pitsunda) and adjacent sections of the sea aquatory to Russia on a 49-year lease, with a payment of 1 ruble per year for each plot. This information caused dissatisfaction among the local population and some opposition forces. As a result, on December 27 the so-called parliament of the self-proclaimed republic ratified the agreement at an extraordinary session, but introduced certain amendments that did not please the Russian Foreign Ministry. In particular, Abkhaz deputies approved a ban on transferring facilities, land plots, sections of aquatory, constructed buildings and structures to third parties.

At the beginning of February, new reasons for discontent appeared among the Abkhaz public. It became known about the preparation of a draft agreement between the Russian National Guard and the so-called Ministry of Internal Affairs of Abkhazia. The agreement allegedly discussed the possibility of ensuring public order on the territory of Abkhazia or Russia if necessary. Activists and five opposition forces stated that, despite partnership relations, the deployment of Rosgvardiya units in Abkhazia is unacceptable, as it would constitute interference in internal affairs and threaten the loss of sovereignty, and called for abandoning the signing of the agreement altogether. The situation is further aggravated by fairly frequent reports of detentions of Abkhazians at the border with Russia.

It is obvious that Moscow had hoped for significantly less activity and persistence from the local population, especially against the backdrop of the start of construction of a Russian naval base in the Ochamchire district of Abkhazia.

Photo: Sova.news