Daily Brief

Regional * Russia’s First Deputy Presidential Administration Head Sergei Kiriyenko said the ‘sovereignty’ of South Ossetia was the result of a long-term joint struggle by the peoples of Russia and South Ossetia. He also said Russians and Ossetians were united by a ‘genetic unacceptability of fascism and Nazism’. Kiriyenko made the remarks in Tskhinvali (Tskhinval) at a gathering marking Russia’s recognition of South Ossetia. After visiting Tskhinvali, Kiriyenko travelled to Sukhumi (Sukhum), w

Daily Brief

Regional * On 25 August, Armenian and Azerbaijani officials met in Lachin to discuss electricity trade and the connection of the two countries’ power infrastructure at the state border. * Arins Group, owned by Armenian businessperson Karen Safaryan, is buying Georgia’s Terabank and the Biltmore Hotel in Tbilisi. The deal, for an undisclosed amount, will result in Dubai Group, a major investor from the United Arab Emirates, leaving Georgia. * Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakhar

Daily Brief

Regional * Nikolai Levshits, blogger and the author of the popular Russian-language Telegram channel Pro Georgia, has been arrested in absentia in Russia. The blogger is accused of spreading ‘fakes’ about the Russian army. It is not known which specific post or statement prompted the case against him. * Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, has said that Moscow’s recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia ‘cemented new, just geopolitical realities’. According to Sputn

Daily Brief

Regional * A 21-year-old trans man from Chechnya, Dmitry Menyaev, was found dead in Batumi, Georgia, on 15 August. His brother suspects that he was murdered. Lawyer Zviad Markoidze told independent local media outlet Batumelebi that an expert had said it could be difficult to determine the cause of death because the body had already begun to decompose. * Another shipment from Russia to Armenia, carrying 630 tonnes of wheat and 36 tonnes of propane, was transported through Azerbaijan. Azertag