The resumption of sea passenger service between Sochi and Sukhumi has been announced.

THIS MATERIAL (INFORMATION) WAS PRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED BY THE FOREIGN AGENT MEMO LLC, OR CONCERNING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE FOREIGN AGENT MEMO LLC.

The launch of the Kometa from Sochi to Sukhum is scheduled for May 15, with flights operating twice a week.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot", flights from Sochi to Sukhum began at the end of August 2025, and the start of regular sea service was announced.

The high-speed Kometa vessel's flights from Sochi to Sukhum will begin on May 15, Interfax reported on May 3, citing the general director of commercial work at the Abkhaz Maritime Adamyr Gabuniyu, the head of the shipping company, said: "According to him, flights will operate twice a week – on Tuesdays and Fridays until October inclusive. Travel time will be approximately two and a half hours. The cost of the trip is 2,800 rubles, and tickets can be purchased at the ticket offices of the seaports of Sochi and Sukhum.

The launch of sea service between Sochi and Sukhum was previously announced by Russian Deputy Transport Minister Valentin Ivanov. He also added that the Russian side has provided subsidies for flights for the next three years, RIA Novosti reports.

As a reminder, on May 1, UVT Aero operated the first scheduled flight from Moscow to Sukhum (the Georgian name for the city is Sukhumi) in 32 years. Forty-nine passengers boarded the 50-seat flight. Georgia and the European Union have condemned the launch of regular air service between Russia and Abkhazia, calling it a violation of Georgia's territorial integrity. The high cost of flights to Sukhumi reduces the benefits of regular air service between Russia and Abkhazia. Social media users pointed out that it is much cheaper to fly to Sochi and then travel to Abkhazia from there. Flights from Moscow to Sukhumi are significantly more expensive than flights from Moscow to Sochi.