Abkhazia’s “Economic Annexation” and Threats to “Sovereignty” - Institute for the Study of Democracy

The Institute for the Study of Democracy (DRI) assesses the visit of the First Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration, Sergei Kiriyenko, to Abkhazia and states that it represents a continuation of Russia’s policy of economic annexation of the occupied region and strengthening control over infrastructure facilities.

According to the organization, during the visit, Kiriyenko will inspect infrastructure facilities in Abkhazia – ports, coasts and enterprises – and will also discuss issues of financial support from Russia, which once again indicates Moscow’s direct involvement in the economic management of the region.

According to the DRI, one of the main directions of Russia’s economic annexation policy is to demand “harmonization” of legislation from the de facto government of Abkhazia, which in practice means fully opening the Abkhazian market to Russian big capital.

The organization also draws attention to the so-called apartment law, the adoption of which, according to their assessment, Moscow is actively lobbying. According to DRI, this initiative will allow Russian citizens to purchase real estate and land in Abkhazia, which is accompanied by protests from part of the local community, as they perceive it as a threat to further strengthening Russian economic influence in the region.

According to the press release, the meeting between Kiriyenko and the de facto leader of Abkhazia, Badra Gunba, discussed the implementation of joint projects in the social, economic and infrastructure spheres, including preferential lending investment programs and the implementation of agreements signed within the framework of the “AMEF-2026”. The conversation also touched on the start of the tourist season and the prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation.

DRI emphasizes that any economic or investment agreement that is concluded bypassing the central government of Georgia is illegitimate and violates the norms of international law.

According to the organization, such visits and economic forums, including “AMEF-2026”, serve as an attempt by Russia to “normalize” the occupation and make the Abkhazian economy fully dependent on the Russian market.

The press release also discusses the issue of control over strategic infrastructure. According to DRI, under the pretext of investments, the Kremlin is trying to establish control over the Sukhumi airport, the reconstruction of which and its operation under Russian management, according to the organization, serves the region’s air integration with the Russian Federation.

In addition, the organization draws special attention to the port of Ochamchir and states that, in parallel with economic projects, Russia is developing military infrastructure there for the Black Sea Fleet, which, according to DRI, poses a threat to the security of Georgia and the entire Black Sea region.

According to the Institute for the Study of Democracy, the visits organized in the name of implementing the so-called investment programs confirm Moscow's deliberate policy, which is aimed at the complete economic and infrastructural annexation of occupied Abkhazia.