Russia Has Changed Its Policy Towards Abkhazia and South Ossetia: Outcomes and Trends
Originally published in Russian by EADaily. English translation by AbkhazWorld.
Kristina Puren, Junior Research Fellow, Institute for International Research and Policy (IRIP), Russian Foreign Trade Academy (VAVT) of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, specially for EADaily.
The past year, 2025, was associated with a relaunch of Russian policy towards Abkhazia and South Ossetia. First, the team responsible for overseeing these republics was changed. The departments of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation responsible for interregional and cultural relations with foreign countries and for cross-border cooperation were abolished, and their functions were transferred to the newly established Directorate for Strategic Partnership and Cooperation. Second, the very format of work was altered.
In 2025, Russia began to construct in Abkhazia and South Ossetia the same model of social architecture that the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation has been implementing domestically in recent years (through the launch of socially significant projects and the formation of an ‘image of the future’). In effect, this governance logic is being systematically extended to a foreign state for the first time, albeit with the caveat that a significant proportion of the citizens of these republics hold Russian passports. The objective of this policy is to integrate Abkhazians and Ossetians into Russian institutional and cultural frameworks, including through personnel initiatives (such as ‘Team of Abkhazia’) and the system of Russian grant programmes.
Renewed Focus on Logistics Routes
Following the disruption of previous trade chains in 2022, the South Caucasus has become an arena of competition for new transit routes between Europe and Asia (for example, projects such as the Middle Corridor, TRIPP, and others). For Russia, the key project remains the International North–South Transport Corridor; however, against the backdrop of cooling Russian–Azerbaijani relations, the functioning of its western branch has become less stable. In this context, the role of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as Russia’s anchor points in the South Caucasus is increasing significantly.
For Abkhazia, the key infrastructure developments of the past year were the launch of the Vladislav Ardzinba International Airport and the opening of the ‘Lastochka’ rail service on the Sochi–Sukhum route. The combination of rail, road, and maritime connections gives Abkhazia the opportunity to become a significant logistics hub in the southern direction.
In South Ossetia, discussions began within the framework of the First International Economic Forum in Tskhinval on the construction of the Alagir–Tskhinval railway, which is intended to connect North and South Ossetia with access to the Georgian Tskhinval–Gori branch line. At the same time, the launch of transit remains a political issue dependent on Georgia. Against the backdrop of the opening of the Mamison ski resort and discussions on the construction of a Wildberries transport and logistics hub in North Ossetia, the issue of the Military–Ossetian Road has once again returned to the public agenda. This has renewed attention to the use of the Mamison Gorge as a logistics link between North and South Ossetia. This road existed even before the opening of the Transcaucasian Highway and has significant importance, including in conditions of military conflict.
The Humanitarian Track
In 2025, Russia relaunched its ‘soft power’ in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. To a large extent, this was done in order to integrate Abkhazian and Ossetian youth into the Russian cultural and educational space through institutions of social architecture, such as ‘Russia – Land of Opportunity’, Rosmolodezh, ‘Team of Abkhazia’ (modelled on ‘Leaders of Russia’), and others. In Abkhazia, the Znanie Society and a representative office of the Directorate of the World Youth Festival were opened, whereas in South Ossetia these structures are still only planned.
A separate area of focus was the activation of Russian grant programmes. In Abkhazia, major competitions were held, including ‘Creators of Abkhazia’ (115 million roubles for 32 projects) and ‘Hospitable Abkhazia’ (1,033 citizens of the Republic of Abkhazia participated in the first stage). In South Ossetia, the grant agenda currently appears more modest. A seminar of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives on the preparation of applications was held in the republic, as a result of which one project received funding (with two more planned for support).
At the same time, to train specialised media professionals in Abkhazia, a dedicated project, ‘New Media of Abkhazia’, was launched (by analogy with Russia’s ‘Workshop of New Media’). In parallel, the personnel competition ‘Team of Abkhazia’ was launched, marking the beginning of a transition to a non-clan-based кадровая policy and the systematic training of managerial personnel.
Foreign Policy of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
With regard to international legal status, the approaches of Abkhazia and South Ossetia diverge. Abkhazia continues to pursue a course aimed at expanding international recognition, which is reflected in the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia. Over the past year, Abkhaz Foreign Minister Oleg Bartsits visited Syria twice, held negotiations in Nicaragua, and undertook a series of visits to Russia. In addition, Bartsits headed the Abkhaz delegation at the Geneva Discussions.
South Ossetia, by contrast, maintains a course towards integration with Russia, which for the republic is largely associated with the idea of reunification with North Ossetia. At the end of 2025, discussions began in the Russian public sphere on the idea of creating a Union State of Russia and South Ossetia (on the platform of the State Duma of the Russian Federation). In 2026, this initiative is expected to be elaborated in legal terms.
What to Expect in 2026
The coming year will mark the entry of both republics into an electoral cycle, as presidential elections are scheduled to take place in South Ossetia in spring 2027, while parliamentary elections will be held in Abkhazia.
For South Ossetian society, the presidential elections are of particular significance. The republic operates under a presidential system of governance, and the election of the head of state determines the entire development vector of the republic for the subsequent five years. In 2026, it will become clear who will put themselves forward as candidates, while from late winter to early spring the election campaign will begin informally.
In Abkhazia, in turn, 2026 will be largely devoted to preparations for the 2027 parliamentary elections, which will serve as a test for the incumbent president.