Partskhaladze Backs Closer Ties With Moscow in Interview – Drobyshevsky’s Tbilisi Lecture Cancelled Over ‘Disrespectful’ Georgia Remarks – Georgian Book Sparks Controversy in Abkhazia – New Tskhinvali Appointments
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
- Russia Launches Russian Language Competition for Abkhaz Schoolchildren
As the de facto authorities in Abkhazia announce new initiatives to preserve the Abkhaz language, Russia is stepping up efforts to promote the Russian language among the region’s younger generation.
In particular, the so-called Russian ambassador Vyacheslav Gladkov has announced the establishment of a special award for Abkhaz schoolchildren in recognition of their achievements in studying the Russian language and literature. The initiative was unveiled on the occasion of Russia’s National Unity Day, celebrated on November 4.
According to Gladkov, the initiative aims to encourage young people’s interest in the Russian language and culture. He also referred to the fact that more than 80% of Abkhazia’s population holds Russian “citizenship” as a factor underscoring the importance of the initiative.
The competition is expected to involve schools from all districts. Winners from each district, accompanied by their teachers and parents, will be invited to an award ceremony at the so-called Russian embassy in Sokhumi, scheduled to coincide with Victory Day celebrations on May 9, 2027.
- Russian ‘Embassy’ Processes 625 ‘Citizenship’ Applications in Abkhazia in October
The so-called Russian embassy in occupied Abkhazia processed 625 applications for Russian “citizenship” in October 2026, marking a significant increase in its processing capacity amid efforts to address a longstanding backlog of applications.
Russian “ambassador” Vyacheslav Gladkov said that more than 3,000 people were waiting to submit applications for Russian citizenship during the summer, prompting the “embassy” to take measures to reduce the backlog.
According to Gladkov, the number of applications processed increased from approximately 120 in June to 400 in September and 625 in October. The increase was made possible by involving specialists from Russia’s state-owned corporation Rosatom and student volunteers from Abkhaz State University.
Gladkov expressed hope that the backlog would be eliminated by the end of 2026.
- Tensions Escalate Between De Facto Parliament Speaker and Opposition
A public dispute between de facto parliament speaker Lasha Ashuba and Aslan Bartsits, leader of the opposition Forum of National Unity party, has escalated into a political controversy following their exchange of criticism over „parliamentary“ conduct and priorities.
The dispute began at an October 22 roundtable titled “Dialogue for the Future,” where Bartsits questioned the de facto parliament’s role during political crises and stressed the importance of political diversity in the “legislative body.” He also criticised de facto MPs for failing to oppose the construction of a fence around the “parliament” building and recalled the early-morning session back in 2023, when the agreement on transferring the Bichvinta/Pitsunda dacha to Russia was ratified.
Ashuba responded sharply at the opening of the next “parliamentary” session, rejecting what he described as unsolicited criticism of his leadership by “biased opposition representatives” and insisting that de facto MPs were fully aware of their responsibilities.
Bartsits subsequently accused the speaker of neglecting broader political and social priorities, questioning his attitude towards veterans and senior public figures. He also criticised parliament’s reported plans to allocate an additional 350 million rubles, or 10 million rubles to each of the 35 so-called MPs, ostensibly to address problems in their constituencies. Bartsits argued that the practice could provide them with an unfair electoral advantage ahead of “parliamentary elections.”
The controversy was further fuelled by allegations that a relative of Ashuba, reportedly employed in the de facto government, had been detained on suspicion of drug distribution but subsequently released following a personal request by the de facto speaker to so-called interior minister Robert Kiut. Speculation has also emerged about a possible link between the alleged intervention and the postponement of “parliamentary hearings” on the controversial agreement signed by Kiut between Sokhumi and Moscow.
- Georgian Book Sparks Controversy in Abkhazia
A book published in Georgia about Georgian-Abkhaz relations and the 1992-1993 war has sparked controversy in Abkhazia, with the local media outlet Aiashara accusing its author of distorting history and promoting a propagandistic narrative.
The book, titled “The Broken Bridge”, was written by Nugzar Sartania, a former deputy director of Enguri HPP. Aiashara’s criticism focused primarily on the book’s interpretation of the armed hostilities and Russia’s role in the conflict. The outlet claimed that Sartania presents the war primarily as a confrontation between Georgia and Russia while questioning the existence of a Georgian-Abkhaz conflict.
Later, the de facto security service announced that five copies of the Georgian-language book had been discovered on August 18 during an inspection of a Mercedes Vito entering the region from Zugdidi. The vehicle was driven by Avtandil Beraia, an Enguri HPP employee and resident of the village of Abaakiti in Gali district. According to the security service, Beraia said he was transporting the books at Sartania’s request. The vehicle was inspected by de facto Abkhaz security officers and Russian FSB border guards. The de facto authorities subsequently imposed an entry ban on Sartania and individuals who assisted him in compiling and publishing the book.
Following the revelations, some social media users called for criminal proceedings against the author, confiscation of the entire print run and destruction of the seized copies. More radical comments included calls to “deport” residents of Gali district and impose additional restrictions on them, alongside broader hostile rhetoric targeting the Georgian population.
Tskhinvali
- “Foreign Ministry” in Tskhinvali Accuses Tbilisi of Biased Assessment of Situation in Occupied Region
The “Foreign Ministry” of the occupied Tskhinvali Region criticized a statement by Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Khatuna Totladze, made during a discussion of the report by the International Court of Justice. The agency claims that the Georgian side continues to adopt “biased approaches” when assessing the situation in the region and uses international forums to disseminate what it considers to be biased information, the local news agency Res reported.
The region’s “Foreign Ministry” stated that in her speech, Totladze once again raised the issues of Russia’s “occupation” of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, as well as human rights violations. The agency believes that the Georgian authorities are unjustifiably placing the blame for the current situation on Russia, while ignoring their own role in past events and the current situation.
It expressed regret that, in its view, the Georgian government continues to take an unconstructive approach to relations with the region. The “Foreign Ministry” also stated that such a position demonstrates the Georgian authorities’ unwillingness to consider the current political realities.
- Three New “Ministers” Appointed in Occupied Tskhinvali Region
Marat Kambolov, the leader of the occupied Tskhinvali region, made personnel appointments in the regional “government.” Nikolay Ayrapetyan has been appointed “Minister of Economic Development and Entrepreneurship Support,” Konstantin Pliev has been appointed head of the “Ministry of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media,” and Aslan Lolaev has been appointed “Minister of Education and Youth Policy.”
Ayrapetyan previously served as “State Advisor to the President” and is a finalist in the “Team of the Future” recruitment competition. Pliev is also associated with this project, which the regional authorities present as a mechanism for building a talent pool. Prior to his appointment, he was a “member of parliament” and focused on digital technology issues.
Also, Dmitry Gladsky, a longtime Russian official, has been appointed “deputy prime minister.” According to the Tskhinvali-based outlet Res, Gladsky, 57, has held various positions in Russian state and banking structures. From 2015 to 2017, he headed the Audit Chamber in Russia-occupied Sevastopol before becoming the city’s deputy governor. In 2021, he was transferred to Russia’s Belgorod region, where he served as an adviser to the governor, deputy governor, and later first deputy governor. Read about other appointments here.
- Fund to Support Wounded Tskhinvali Residents Sends Humanitarian Aid to Those Fighting on Russia’s Side in Ukraine War
The Fund to Support Wounded Residents of the Occupied Tskhinvali Region delivered humanitarian aid to those fighting on Russia’s side in Ukraine. The aid included food, water, basic necessities, and packages sent by the servicemen’s relatives. According to the fund’s director, Madina Plieva, various “government agencies,” businesses, and residents of the region assisted with the delivery. Due to the complex situation, the shipment could not be delivered directly but was instead handed over through individuals from the region who were present on the ground. Part of the aid will be sent to hospitals for the wounded. The foundation stated that it intends to continue providing support to those fighting on Russia’s side in Ukraine.
Moscow-Tbilisi
- Tbilisi Booksbar Cancels Drobyshevsky Lecture Citing ‘Disrespectful’ Remarks on Georgia’s History
The Tbilisi booksbar Auditoria canceled a talk by Russian paleoanthropologist Stanislav Drobyshevsky due to his remarks about the history of Georgia and Tbilisi. The lecture was scheduled for November 22, but, according to the organizers, they considered Drobyshevsky’s remarks “superficial and disrespectful” toward the history and culture of Georgia.
“After announcing the event, our attention was drawn to some of Stanislav’s public statements about the history of Georgia and Tbilisi. We reviewed them and feel it is necessary to state clearly: we categorically disagree with them and consider them superficial and disrespectful toward the history and culture of Georgia,” the statement from Auditoria reads.
The statement does not specify exactly which of Drobyshevsky’s remarks led to this decision; however, it presumably refers to the podcast “Why Do We Live Worse Than Ancient People?” from December 8, 2024, where he spoke about Georgia.
“I was just recently in Tbilisi. The entire city center was built under Soviet rule. They have a wonderful museum there, the Museum of the Soviet Occupation of Georgia… All of Georgia was built during the Soviet era; before that, there were just some stone huts… Everything was built during the Soviet era… The Soviet occupation… And since then, everything’s just been falling apart, everything’s covered in spit and graffiti, everything’s a total mess, but at least they’re free as hell,” Drobyshevsky says in the video.
Auditoria reported that, through the Russian scholar’s representative, they were offered the opportunity to arrange an interview with one of the Russian-language Georgian media outlets so he could explain his position. However, the interview could not take place.
The organizers explained that the cancellation of Stanislav Drobyshevsky’s appearances in Georgia was not due to the content of the planned lectures, but rather to his public statements, which they deemed incompatible with his responsibility toward the audience and society. The statement notes that inviting a public intellectual means providing a platform not only to a specialist but also to a person with public influence. At the same time, they oppose the harassment and boycott of Drobyshevsky, describing the cancellation of the events as an independent decision dictated by respect for the country and the audience.
Stanislav Drobyshevsky told the Russian media outlet RBC that he was unaware that his lectures in Georgia had been canceled. “I didn’t even know they’d been canceled. Well, thank God – I will have a day off. The truth apparently hurts. Democracy and European-style freedom of speech. They were so eager to get there that they finally made it. Now let them sit there without any lectures. Or let them come to us [in Russia] – I give lectures to everyone, and we have plenty of other lecturers too,” he said.
- Partskhaladze Calls for Closer Ties with Moscow
Former Georgian Prosecutor General Otar Partskhaladze, who is subject to U.S. and British sanctions and is wanted by Tbilisi on criminal charges, gave a lengthy interview to pro-Russian journalist Valeri Kvaratskhelia. The former official, who has settled in Russia, explained why he changed his last name, what Georgians should thank Bidzina Ivanishvili for, and how he is forming a unit for the war against Ukraine.
A significant portion of the conversation was devoted to Russian-Georgian relations. Partskhaladze stated that Georgia’s future lies in developing ties with Russia, and he called the course toward Euro-Atlantic integration a mistake. In his view, the restoration of diplomatic relations between Tbilisi and Moscow is in the interests of both countries and could contribute to resolving regional problems.
Partskhaladze also spoke positively about Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party. He called him a patriot and stated that Georgians should be grateful to him for preserving peace in the country amid the war in Ukraine and regional instability. According to the former prosecutor general, Ivanishvili’s main achievement is that Georgia has avoided becoming embroiled in a military conflict and has maintained stability despite the complex international situation. Partskhaladze wished Ivanishvili success and expressed support for policies aimed at preventing escalation and preserving peace.
He spoke positively about the resumption of direct air service and the abolition of visa requirements for Georgian citizens, stating that these steps have improved people’s lives and should be continued. He also supported the creation in Russia of a Russian-Georgian Unity Fund, which, he said, will contribute to the development of ties between the two countries.
Commenting on the war in Ukraine, Partskhaladze repeated the narrative prevalent in pro-Kremlin circles regarding the confrontation between Russia and the West. In addition, he spoke about the creation of the “Georgievsky” military unit, which, he claimed, includes Georgian citizens willing to fight on Russia’s side.
- Bordyuzha: Georgia Refused to Open “Second Front” against Russia
Former CSTO Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha stated that the Georgian authorities refused to open a “second front” against Russia after the start of full-scale war in Ukraine because, in his opinion, they did not want to become “cannon fodder for the West.” In an interview with RIA Novosti, he stated that Georgia’s leadership recognized the risks of involving the country in a military conflict and did not yield to external pressure.
Bordyuzha also expressed the view that promises of European integration are used by the West to influence its partners, and cast doubt on the European Union’s interest in admitting Georgia and Ukraine into its ranks. He reiterated a claim commonly made by Russian officials that Western countries allegedly sought to draw Tbilisi into a confrontation with Moscow. Georgian government officials have made similar statements on numerous occasions in the past.
- Russia’s Rosselkhoznadzor Delegation Concludes Inspection Visit to Georgia
Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor) said that its delegation had visited Georgia on November 2-6 “at the invitation” of the country’s National Food Agency to inspect laboratories and review the phytosanitary certification system for fruit exports to Russia. Read more here.
Also Read:
- 31/10/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – October 24-29, 2026
- 16/10/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – October 9-15, 2026
- 02/10/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – September 25-October 1, 2026
- 25/09/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – September 18-24, 2026
- 18/09/2026 – Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – September 11-17, 2026
