Sokhumi, Tskhinvali, Moscow Digest – September 1-10, 2026

Sokhumi plans “large-scale operational-tactical exercises” – Ergneti IPRM – Russian Interests Section promotes projects for Georgians 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 De Facto Foreign Minister Visits Gali District Sokhumi’s facto foreign minister Oleg Bartsits paid a working visit to the Gali district, where he met with the so-called Gali district head Konstantin Pilia to discuss current issues of cooperation, including the provision of “consular services” to residents. Bartsits also visited the Enguri checkpoint, where he reviewed its operations and was briefed on the current situation at the crossing.

The visit also included discussions on the possible resumption of Gali’s Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism ( IPRM ) and prospects for further engagement on the issue. Gunba Orders Tighter Oversight of Grant Spending Abkhazia’s de facto leader Badra Gunba has ordered tighter oversight of grants allocated under the de facto Ministry of Agriculture’s “Agricultural Development for 2025” program and the de facto Ministry of Economy’s program supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, the latter implemented with direct financial support from Russia. “We have neither the right nor the possibility to implement projects knowing that they will ultimately produce no effect,” Gunba said, stressing the need for greater efficiency in the use of public funds. Gunba also raised the possibility of violations in the implementation of the programs, given the significant volume of funding. He said that any identified violations should be addressed and that those responsible should return the funds to the local…