A devastating fire in the village of Papynyrkhua, Gal district, on Sunday, 5 January, claimed the lives of five sisters, aged between eight months and eight years. The blaze, caused by an accidental mix-up of petrol and kerosene while lighting the stove, engulfed the small wooden house.
The children were in the care of their grandmother while their parents were away. Despite her efforts and those of neighbours who rushed to help, the fire spread too quickly. Firefighters arrived within ten minutes, but the house was already destroyed. The grandmother survived with third-degree burns and is hospitalised in moderate condition.
Acting President Badra Gunba has declared 6 January a day of mourning and ordered an investigation. The government has pledged psychological and financial support to the bereaved Cholaria family, including building a new house or providing an apartment.
AbkhazWorld.com extends its heartfelt condolences to the Cholaria family and stands with them during this difficult time.
By the way, a house in Sukhum was destroyed by fire on Saturday, 11 January. The blaze, which occurred in a nine-storey building in Sukhum’s New District, damaged the kitchen, balcony, and part of a room. The fire is believed to have been caused by ongoing electricity outages. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
According to Sputnik Abkhazia, the country recorded an increase in mortality rates in 2024. Civil registry offices reported 1,422 deaths as of 1 December, compared to 1,243 in 2023, an increase of 180 deaths. The data was gathered from civil registries across all cities and districts in Abkhazia.
The Central Election Commission of Abkhazia has officially registered four candidates for the upcoming presidential election, scheduled for 15 February 2025. The registered candidates for president and their running mates for vice president are:
Badra Gunba (b. 1981), with Beslan Bigvava (b. 1971)
Adgur Ardzinba (b. 1982), with Alkhas Dzhindzhal (b. 1974)
Robert Arshba (b. 1974), with Daut Agrba (b. 1978)
Oleg Bartsits (b. 1967), with Adgur Kakoba (b. 1965)
Another potential candidate, Adgur Khurkhumal, submitted documents on 6 January, which are currently under review. In accordance with Abkhazian law, Acting President Badra Gunba has stepped down to campaign as a presidential candidate. His duties as head of state are now being fulfilled by Acting Prime Minister Valery Bganba.
Under Abkhazia’s election law, all registered candidates are guaranteed equal access to media, financial, and technical resources for their campaigns. During the campaign period, candidates and their running mates are released from work duties while retaining their salaries, funded by the election budget.
Candidates and their representatives are protected from dismissal, job transfers, or legal proceedings without the approval of the General Prosecutor or the Supreme Court. State and public institutions are also required to assist candidates in organising voter meetings and accessing necessary information.
Candidates may withdraw their nominations at any time before the election by submitting a written request to the CEC. Vice-presidential candidates must do so no later than 10 days before the election, allowing time for a replacement to be proposed.
Alkhas Kvitsinia, Abkhazia’s Ambassador to Russia, has declined a request to open a polling station in Nalchik. Responding to Timur Shordanov, head of the Kabardino-Balkaria regional organisation “Veterans of the 1992–1993 Patriotic War of the People of Abkhazia,” Kvitsinia stated: “At present, the Embassy of the Republic of Abkhazia does not have the capacity to open polling stations in Russian cities where our citizens reside and study in significant numbers.” As a result, only two polling stations will operate in Russia for the upcoming election, one in Moscow and the other in Cherkessk.
The veterans' organisation ‘Aruaa’ has protested the decision by Abkhazia's Ambassador to Russia, Alkhas Kvitsinia, to deny the request for a polling station in Kabardino-Balkaria. The group argues that over 1,500 eligible voters live in the region, many of them elderly, and face significant difficulties travelling to other polling locations. The organisation has called on the Central Election Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia to ensure voting access for citizens living abroad, warning that failure to do so would constitute a violation of their rights and could lead to questioning the legitimacy of the election results.
A shooting at the ‘Biscuit’ café in Sukhum on 11 January resulted in the deaths of three individuals: Narsou Jiba (b. 1986), Yeshsou Jiba (b. 1988), and Lasharela Kvitsinia (b. 1981). The incident occurred around 14:00 during a conflict between patrons.
The suspect, Aslan Dochia (b. 1983), has been detained, and the weapon used in the incident has been confiscated. Investigative efforts are ongoing.
From 9 January, daily electricity outages in Abkhazia have been extended to six hours, with four hours occurring during the daytime. As of 1 January, electricity tariffs have also increased. These changes are part of a phased tariff hike introduced by Minister of Economy Kristina Ozgan and signed three years ago by Alexander Ankvab. Proposals to impose a moratorium on electricity prices, including one from MP Rshtuni, were rejected by parliament.
Instagram @abysta_designA draft law to ban cryptocurrency mining, passed in the first reading on 16 December, remains unfinalised, leaving the issue unresolved.
According to Izida Chania, Badra Gunba, one of the leading presidential candidates in Abkhazia, is alleged to be among the largest operators of cryptocurrency mining farms in the country. During a severe energy crisis, Gunba is accused of abusing his position to persuade members of parliament to vote against legislation banning mining, which has been cited as a primary cause of Abkhazia’s energy shortages. Reports also claim he benefited from low-interest Russian loans intended for local entrepreneurs.
Chania notes that Gunba is running in the election alongside Beslan Bigvava, the head of Ochamchira district, who is described as another proponent of policies associated with Aslan Bzhania. Gunba’s ascent to the vice presidency was reportedly supported by former president Alexander Ankvab, to whom he demonstrated loyalty during a complex period of shared governance.
It is further alleged that Gunba controls both official and unofficial assets in Abkhazia, with some reportedly held under the names of proxies. Additionally, he is portrayed as a key guarantor for Russian business groups pursuing their interests in Abkhazia. Chania also highlights Gunba’s reliance on various voter bases, including Armenian communities in Abkhazia and Krasnodar Krai, mobilised by Aslan Bzhania during the 2020 elections, as well as state officials and a so-called “club of corrupt individuals.” This combination, she argues, significantly bolsters the Ankvab-Bzhania bloc’s chances of reclaiming power through Gunba’s candidacy.
Journalist Inal Khashig has called for presidential candidates in Abkhazia to present clear, actionable plans with specific deadlines, not only to address the cryptocurrency mining issue but also to reform the country’s energy system.
Commenting on the frustration caused by the new electricity outage schedule, Khashig emphasised that voters can no longer afford to support candidates based on personal connections or goodwill alone. He urged candidates to demonstrate their ability to tackle the energy crisis effectively, highlighting the need for both a detailed strategy and the political will to implement it, qualities he noted are in short supply. Khashig expressed hope that the era of casting votes for family ties or material incentives is over, urging voters to demand accountability and competence from those vying for leadership.
Anatoly Tvanba, head of the elders of Duripsh village, has spoken out against Abkhazia’s former leadership, accusing them of pursuing personal gain rather than the country's interests.
“When the previous government first came to power, I had high hopes. I even wrote a couple of letters to the former President, but I was mistaken in thinking he had real independence,” Tvanba said. “In 30 years, we haven’t had worse representatives in power. They led us down the wrong path.”
He criticised the former government for exacerbating key issues such as rising prices for fuel and bread. Referring to recent political turmoil as a “partial coup,” Tvanba argued that a complete change was necessary, accusing the former leadership of ongoing sabotage that must be stopped. Addressing presidential candidate Adgur Ardzinba, he added: “We place great hope in you, Adgur Amiranovich.”
At a meeting in Duripsh, Alkhas Dzhindzhal, candidate for vice president, stressed the importance of prioritising state development over reliance on investments. “We cannot abandon our national development programme. What happened on 15 November was years in the making. Let’s see this through together,” he said. Dzhindzhal highlighted the resilience of the Abkhaz people and emphasised the need to preserve sovereignty, calling it the nation’s greatest strength.
Abkhaz law enforcement is still searching for Adgur Kharaziya, who is suspected of a shooting in Parliament on 19 December that killed MP Vakhtang Golandziya and injured MP Kan Kvarchiya. At a meeting with Acting Minister of Internal Affairs Robert Kiut, Criminal Investigation Chief Alkhas Gabliya reported ongoing efforts to locate and apprehend Kharaziya. Investigative measures are also underway regarding the 24 December attack on Kharaziya’s home. A criminal case has been opened.
Meanwhile, authorities noted a decline in general criminal offences in Abkhazia in 2024, with 79 fewer cases compared to 2023.
In 2024, two three-storey apartment buildings in Gulrypsh District were renovated with funding from Abkhazia's Repatriation Fund, providing housing for 40 families. The fund’s 2024 budget totalled 427 million rubles (approximately $4.19 million), including 116 million rubles (approximately $1.14 million) carried over from 2023. It also implemented a demographic support programme, offering 100,000 rubles (approximately $980) for the birth of a first, second, or third child, and 200,000 rubles (approximately $1,960) for the fourth and subsequent children. A total of 1,044 newborn benefited from the programme, including 394 firstborns.
Over 36,000 tonnes of mandarins have been exported to Russia from Abkhazia since the start of the citrus season up to 10 January 2025, according to the State Customs Committee. This marks an increase of 12,194 tonnes compared to the same period last season. Active exports of other seasonal fruits also continue. In 2024, Abkhazia exported 1,099,383 kg of feijoa, 248,034 kg of persimmons, 19,059 kg of kiwi, 396,355 kg of lemons, and 224,783 kg of oranges.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 82,350 traffic fines were issued in Abkhazia in 2024. Law enforcement recorded 2,422 cases of drunk driving, a significant decrease of 2,231 compared to the previous year.
Sukhum once again topped the list for the highest number of drunk driving cases, continuing its lead from previous years, though with a notable decline compared to 2023.
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