Russia Plans Regular Flights to Occupied Abkhazia
Russia plans to start regular flights to occupied Abkhazia from May 1. This was announced by Sergei Kiriyenko, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Presidential Administration.
A special Russian Emergencies Ministry flight is due to land at Sokhumi airport on February 27 to bring seriously ill patients to Russia for medical treatment. The first flight to the Sokhumi airport took place on February 7. It was a test flight, and it was the first aircraft to land at the airport in 32 years.
The Kremlin-backed administration in occupied Abkhazia signed an agreement with a Russian company to renovate the airport in October 2023. However, this project has faced financial disputes.
Georgia’s Civil Aviation Agency has stated that no airline can legally operate international flights to or from Sokhumi airport without Georgia’s permission. Despite this, Russia plans to press ahead with regular flights, further consolidating its presence in the occupied region.
In addition to establishing air links, Russia is developing rail links to the occupied region. A test run of the “Lastochka” electric train has reportedly successfully completed a trip to occupied Sokhumi from Sochi on February 27. Regular train services will reportedly begin on May 1.
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