A reform of the consular department at the Russian Embassy in Abkhazia has cut the time needed to process citizenship applications by a factor of 3.5. This seemingly dry statistic illustrates one of the most important and contentious aspects of life in Abkhazia.
For some Abkhaz people, a Russian passport offers the only way to see the world. For others, it provides a chance to build a career or enjoy a decent retirement. For still others, it raises doubts and fears.
Most countries around the world do not recognise Abkhazia as an independent state, leaving its passport with virtually no value beyond the republic’s borders. In practice, this means that Abkhaz passport holders cannot travel anywhere except Russia. Many residents of Abkhazia therefore acquire a second citizenship, Russian citizenship. But freedom of movement is not the only issue.
Processing applications 3.5 times faster
Until recently, residents of Abkhazia frequently complained about the slow-moving queue for Russian citizenship. The consulate could accept applications from only 120 people a month, despite a waiting list of 3,000. As a result, applicants faced a wait of more than three years.
To address the problem, Russia’s new ambassador to Abkhazia, Vyacheslav Gladkov, sought assistance from the Russian presidential administration. Experts from the Senezh Management Workshop joined the effort. They specialise in modern workplace organisation based on the methodology of the state-owned Rosatom corporation. Their main task was to eliminate unnecessary steps in the document submission process, simplify logistics and spare applicants a lengthy wait.
Abkhazia State University also supported the project. Student volunteers from its law faculty took on the initial consultations and helped applicants complete their citizenship paperwork correctly.
By the end of September 2026, the consulate had increased its application processing rate 3.5-fold. The embassy expects to reduce the backlog significantly by the end of the year.
But who are the people queuing for Russian citizenship, and why do they need it? Are there also people in no hurry to obtain it, even under the simplified procedure?
To find out, we spoke to residents of Sukhumi and collected their stories.
A passport as a way out of isolation
For 38-year-old Diana Chelidze, obtaining a Russian passport means an end to the isolation she has experienced for almost her entire adult life.
Diana lived in Russia as a child and attended school there, but her parents never managed to obtain Russian citizenship for her. She later tried to resolve the matter herself but ran into insurmountable bureaucratic obstacles. She finally obtained the long-awaited document after Russia resumed issuing passports to Abkhaz residents under a simplified procedure in 2025.
“I waited for this opportunity for many years. I spent my entire youth within the borders of Abkhazia and Russia. The first place I travelled to after getting my passport was Istanbul. It’s an indescribable feeling to simply buy a ticket and fly somewhere. I’m now actively saving for a trip to the Maldives. I’m 38, and only now have I gained the opportunity to see the world. I’m incredibly happy to have this freedom,” Diana says enthusiastically.
Starting a career and securing a pension
While a Russian passport has given Diana the freedom to travel, many of her compatriots see it not as a luxury but as a basic necessity for social and professional stability.
Liana Georgievna Avidzba, 71, worked throughout her life but now receives a meagre Abkhaz pension of 6,000 roubles [around $70].
“It’s practically impossible to live on that amount today. I obtained a Russian passport solely so I could use my Soviet-era employment record to qualify for a Russian pension. Now that I have the document, I’ll start the pension application process straight away,” Liana says.
Young people who see their future in Russia have different reasons for seeking citizenship. Milana Kvitsinia, a student at a Russian university, is currently applying for citizenship.
“Without a Russian passport, it’s extremely difficult to find a decent, formal job in Russia today. Employers are reluctant to hire foreign nationals. I’m studying in Russia and plan to stay there for work, so a passport is a necessity for me,” Milana explains.
A second citizenship? No, thank you!
But not all residents of Abkhazia are eager to become Russian citizens.
Albina, a mother of three boys aged 10, 12 and 17, is deliberately putting off applying for Russian passports for her sons. Her main fear is that the authorities will register them for military service and conscript them into the Russian army.
“People tell me that dual citizenship will allow the boys to choose where they do their military service. But I don’t believe that. I see how the authorities immediately register the sons of my friends who are studying in Russia for military service. Their parents live in constant fear that the boys will be sent to the front.
I’m sure they will never stop issuing [Russian] citizenship here. When my sons grow up, they can apply themselves if they want to. But as their mother, I’m not going to take that risk for now,” Albina says.
Leonid Topchyan, 24, is ethnically Armenian and believes he has no need for a Russian passport at all. He and his parents run a family business in Abkhazia, growing mandarins, persimmons and feijoa. They use the fruit to make homemade compotes, fruit pastilles and dried fruit for sale.
“I work on my own land and make my living from agriculture. I’m happy with how things are. I simply don’t need a Russian passport.
If I ever apply for a second citizenship, it will only be Armenian. I can’t travel to Armenia at the moment, although many of my friends and relatives go there even with Abkhaz passports. The local Armenian community helps them a lot,” Leonid says.
The terminology, place names and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of this website.