Tbilisi condemns Russia-Abkhazia flights as violation of international norms

The launch of civil aviation between Russia and Abkhazia constitutes a violation of international norms, said Georgia’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Levan Davitashvili.

"The operation of such flights is a violation of the rules of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Moreover, the matter concerns Russian airlines that are under international sanctions," Davitashvili told reporters, commenting on the start of civil flights between Russia and Abkhazia from May 1, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.  

Notably, ​Russia has resumed direct flights to Abkhazia for the first time in over three decades. The first flight on the route Moscow - Sukhum took off from Vnukovo airport today, May 1. This development follows a successful test flight on February 7, 2025, when a UVT Aero aircraft from Moscow's Vnukovo Airport landed at Sukhum International Airport, marking the first such landing since the early 1990s.​

Abkhazia, a breakaway region of Georgia, declared independence after the 1992–1993 war with Georgian government forces. Although Russia recognised Abkhazia as an independent state following the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, the vast majority of the international community, including the United Nations, considers Abkhazia to be part of Georgia's sovereign territory.

Since 2008, Russia has strengthened its military and political presence in Abkhazia and maintains close ties with its de facto authorities. Georgia, in turn, views any cooperation or direct engagement with Abkhazia—especially actions that bypass Tbilisi—as violations of its territorial integrity.

Civil aviation is a particularly sensitive issue. Under international law and ICAO regulations, all flights to a country's territory must be coordinated with its recognized government. Since Abkhazia is not recognized as an independent state by ICAO, any flights operating to or from the region without Georgia’s consent may be deemed unlawful.

By Khagan Isayev