Facebook* users consider the initiative for a railway through Abkhazia premature
Moscow's initiative to restore rail service with Georgia via Abkhazia sparked a heated debate on Facebook*. Commenting on the "Caucasian Knot" article, social media users prioritized political issues—the status of Abkhazia and the return of refugees—and considered discussions of transit logistics premature.
As "Caucasian Knot" reported, on February 12, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk stated that Russia was considering the possibility of restoring rail service with Georgia via Abkhazia.
On August 8, 2008, Russia intervened in the armed conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia and subsequently recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Following this, Georgia considers Abkhazia and South Ossetia territories occupied by Russia, according to a "Caucasian Knot" report on the "Five-Day War" of 2008.
Discussion of Moscow's plans to restore rail service through Abkhazia on Facebook* focused on political rather than economic aspects. By 1:55 PM Moscow time on February 16, 1,284 comments had been left under the "Caucasian Knot" article about the project, in which users shared their assessments of the route's prospects and the conditions for its implementation.
"First, restore jurisdiction, then restore rail traffic."
According to social network users, the key issue is not logistics or transit, but the territorial integrity of Georgia and the status of Abkhazia. Readers noted that without a resolution to the issue of border recognition and the return of refugees, any talk of a train seems premature. At the same time, some discussion participants see the project as an opportunity for dialogue and economic revitalization of the region, although such comments, as reported by the "Caucasian Knot," are noticeably fewer.
In particular, Georgian users are actively debating whether it is even possible to discuss the railway without first restoring Tbilisi's jurisdiction over Abkhazia. According to commentators, the political aspect of the conflict must be resolved first, and only then should infrastructure projects be considered.
"First, restore jurisdiction, then return the refugees, then restore rail traffic," wrote Elguja Bulia.
"Until there is a Georgian flag over Abkhazia, there can be no railway," stated Irina Shekiladze.
"If Russia recognizes Abkhazia as part of Georgia, then we can discuss the train," said Shota Chkhvirkia.
"The railway can be used for military logistics"
A separate topic of discussion was the demand to return refugees to their homes. Facebook* users point out that tens of thousands of people have been unable to return to Abkhazia since the early 1990s, making any talk of transit cynical. Readers note: for many, the issue is personal, not abstractly political.
"Return the refugees to their homes, and then consider it," wrote Manana Rogava.
"When I and others like me return to our homes, then we'll talk," noted Gela Kokaia.
"First, return the refugees, then the road," emphasized Ramazi Barateli.
Many commentators express distrust of Moscow and see the initiative as an attempt to achieve their own strategic objectives. Social media users believe the railway could be used not only for trade but also for military logistics.
"This makes it easier and cheaper to deliver troops," wrote Yuri Bogorodetsky.
"Russia's military strategy calls for an offensive along the railways," stated Dmytro Fedorenko.
"This is the lifeline for the entire region."
The discussion also includes voices that believe the project is economically beneficial. Some Facebook* users believe that restoring the connection could revive trade and open up new opportunities for the region. They believe that money could ease tensions over time.
"If it's cost-effective, then so be it." "Money will benefit no matter the policy," wrote Dmitry Padafey.
"This is the lifeline for the entire region," noted Tamaz Valiev.
"They must open, and the sooner the better for everyone," said George Matureli.
The discussion also included comments from users with Abkhazian surnames and first names. According to these commentators, the railway issue cannot be viewed through the prism of Georgian jurisdiction. Readers note that for some Abkhazian society, such initiatives are perceived as a dialogue between equal parties, and not as an internal Georgian issue.
"There is no Georgia, there is Abkhazia," wrote Hanna Gunba. "If this is a catalyst for a peace agreement, I'm all for it," noted a user named Voice of Apsny.
In 2014, former Abkhazian President Raul Khajimba in an interview with the "Caucasian Knot" stated that he had no information about negotiations on restoring rail service. A short version of the interview is also available on the "Caucasian Knot."
"The keys to South Ossetia and Abkhazia are kept in Russia"
Some participants in the discussion point out that it is impossible to resolve the conflict without Russia's participation. According to social media users, Moscow remains a key player in the region, and this factor cannot be ignored. At the same time, such positions draw sharp criticism from opponents.
"This issue cannot be resolved without Russia," wrote Σωτήρης Amμανατιδης.
"We need each other, very much so," believes Lado.
"The keys to Samachablo (the unofficial Georgian name for the former South Ossetian Autonomous Region of Georgia, - note from "Caucasian Knot") and Abkhazia are kept in Russia," said Dato Kochorashvili.
Another line of dispute concerns the parties' responsibility for the events of the 1990s. Facebook* users are returning to the war, accusing each other of aggression, and recalling mutual traumas. Commentators believe that without acknowledging the mistakes of the past, talking about joint projects is pointless.
"We were there first, you fired the first shot," wrote Elguja Bulia.
"You came here with war and now you're issuing ultimatums," said Angelika Gabunia.
"You lost Abkhazia, and today it's a different reality," said Deka Manilova.
At the same time, there are also conciliatory voices. Some Facebook* users believe the confrontation has dragged on for decades, and the region needs peace and development. In their view, the railway could be a step toward gradually restoring trust.
"Any cooperation is good, we need to build bridges," wrote Κωστας Καραγκιοζιδης.
"Peace to us, people! Aggression and hatred bring nothing good," said Nonna Begiashvili.
How the railway through Abkhazia operated during the Soviet period
The railway line along the Black Sea coast of Abkhazia was part of the highway connecting Russia, Georgia, and Armenia via Sukhumi and Tbilisi. It was part of the Transcaucasian Railway system and provided continuous service from Moscow and other cities of the RSFSR to Yerevan through the territory of the Abkhaz ASSR.
During the Soviet years, the line served both transit and resort functions. Long-distance trains from Moscow, Leningrad, Kyiv, and Minsk, as well as seasonal trains to Black Sea resorts, passed through Sukhumi, Gudauta, and Gagra.
The line was actively used by long-distance passenger trains, express and seasonal resort trains, and commuter trains between Sochi and Sukhumi. Furthermore, the road was crucial for freight transport, carrying oil, construction materials, agricultural products, and transit cargo to Armenia.
After the collapse of the USSR and the outbreak of armed conflict in 1992-1993, traffic on the section between Inguri and Sukhumi was virtually stopped. The Russia-Georgia-Armenia through-line through Abkhazia has ceased, and the infrastructure has partially fallen into disrepair.
Restoring the Abkhaz section will restore the shortest route between Russia and Armenia
It is worth emphasizing that the discussion of restoring rail service through Abkhazia is taking place against the backdrop of broader initiatives to develop transport corridors in the South Caucasus.
One such initiative is the TRIPP (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) project – a transit corridor being discussed in the context of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
TRIPP is a reformatted version of the so-called Zangezur Corridor, the idea of which dates back to Soviet times, when a railway connected Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan through Armenia's Syunik region. After the collapse of the USSR and the outbreak of the First Karabakh War (1992–1994), the railway line between them was dismantled and land traffic ceased; now the only way to get to Nakhchivan from Azerbaijan is by plane or via Iran. After the Second Karabakh War in 2020, Azerbaijan began promoting the Zangezur Corridor concept again, but faced resistance from Armenia, concerned about sovereignty issues. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report "Trump Route" (TRIPP): Transport Corridor through Armenia".
As for the rail connection between Tbilisi and Yerevan, passenger trains continue to operate on the existing line through Sadakhlo, including the Tbilisi-Yerevan overnight train. The line is part of the South Caucasus Railway network, managed by a concessionaire in Armenia, according to the Georgian Railways website.
However, the restoration of the Abkhaz section is seen as a potential return to the shortest route between Russia and Armenia via Georgia. Until the 1990s, this route was the main transit route for Armenian cargo and passengers, according to a report on Armenia's transport isolation following the closure of some regional communications, as reported by News.am on February 13.