Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said “several serious incidents” involving Russian citizens had recently occurred in Georgia, in response to a question about concerns over “Russophobia,” as she called for “anti-Russian manifestations” to be investigated and those responsible to be held accountable.
Zakharova made the remarks during an August 20 briefing in response to a question from pro-Russian Georgian journalist Nikoloz Mzhavanadze, who, speaking online, referred to recent statements by Georgian Dream officials that “Russophobia” in Georgia was being “artificially fueled” by the “deep state” and asked whether “inflaming anti-Russian sentiments” could hinder the development of Georgia’s trade and tourism ties with Russia.
In response, Zakharova once again highlighted the “strong cultural ties that connect our countries” and slammed former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, saying that, “despite the well-known political differences” provoked by his “political madness or, better put, feeble-mindedness,” Moscow seeks to create the “necessary conditions for expanding bilateral cooperation and humanitarian contacts” with Tbilisi.
She went on to stress that transport links and tourism between the two countries had increased in recent years, citing the 2023 resumption of direct flights and the abolition of visas for Georgian citizens making short-term trips to Russia, as well as the 2024 extension of visa-free travel to Georgians going to Russia for study, work and long-term residence.
“The result has been a sharp intensification of people-to-people contacts,” Zakharova said, noting that the flow of Russian tourists to Georgia had increased “by one and a half times to 1.6 million people” since 2023 and that the trend “continues to grow.”
“At the same time, there have recently been several serious incidents involving Russian citizens in Georgia, which, of course, requires close attention and appropriate actions by the Georgian authorities,” she added.
Zakharova did not specify the incidents, but her remarks came nearly a month after a hotel wedding incident in Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region, where a Georgian man punched a Russian-speaking female tourist in her room amid a wider conflict between the two groups. The man was arrested and later released on GEL 5,000 bail while facing prosecution.
Zakharova said Moscow had taken note of statements by the Georgian leadership regarding “Russophobia,” adding: “We proceed from the assumption that Tbilisi will take comprehensive measures to prevent Russophobia and fully ensure the safety of all Russians visiting Georgia. Anti-Russian manifestations must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible must be held accountable.”
She concluded by saying that the “safety” of Russian citizens visiting Georgia for tourism and business remained an “unconditional priority” for Moscow.
The remarks came nearly a week after Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the “deep state” and its local “agents” of seeking to undermine Russian tourism in Georgia by artificially fueling “Russophobia” and warned against inciting “enmity between peoples.”
He first raised the “Russophobia” claims amid the 18th anniversary of the Russo-Georgian war, when he accused the opposition and critics of ignoring Russia’s 2008 war against Georgia and becoming “Russophobic” only after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He claimed their “radical anti-Russian sentiments” were being “instructed” from abroad rather than reflecting genuine views.
On August 6, Georgia’s State Security Service opened a “sabotage” investigation into an alleged social media campaign portraying Georgia as an “unfavorable destination” for Russian tourists.
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