Over 70 Abkhaz citizens fighting on the side of Russia died during the fighting. This was stated by the new head of the Abkhazian Foreign Ministry Oleg Bartsits.
"Today, when Russia is waging an existential struggle against global evil, small Abkhazia is practically, not in words, nearby. Volunteers from Abkhazia are fighting in the special military operation zone. Unfortunately, we have already lost more than 70 of our guys," said Bartsits.
According to him, volunteers, journalists from Abkhazia and doctors are working in the fighting zone, rescuing the wounded. The new head of the Foreign Ministry said that he himself was in the special military operation zone with a humanitarian mission.
On June 6, Oleg Bartsits made his first visit to the Russian Federation after his appointment to the post. In Moscow, he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Russia is ready to support the comprehensive development of independent Abkhazia, including the expansion of its international ties, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on the results of talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Abkhazian counterpart Oleg Bartsits, quoted by TASS and BTA.
“The Russian side confirmed its readiness to provide further support for the comprehensive development of independent Abkhazia and the expansion of its international ties“, the statement said.
The Foreign Ministry also said that during the detailed conversation, held in a friendly and trusting atmosphere traditional for Russian-Abkhaz allied relations, the two ministers discussed a wide range of issues on the bilateral agenda, as well as regional and international problems of mutual interest. interest.
“The interlocutors highly appreciated the numerous joint projects in the security, socio-economic and humanitarian spheres implemented by order of the presidents of Russia and Abkhazia“, the Russian ministry wrote. “It was emphasized that the successful implementation of these initiatives contributes to strengthening friendship between the peoples and increasing the well-being in Abkhazia and the region“, the ministry added.“
“The common goal of developing legally binding documents to avoid the use of force between Georgia, on the one hand, and Abkhazia and South Ossetia, on the other, was confirmed“, the statement added.“