Over 70 Abkhaz volunteers killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine, de facto minister

More than 70 citizens of Abkhazia have been killed while fighting on Russia’s side in Ukraine, according to Oleg Bartsits, the newly appointed “foreign minister” of the Russian-occupied Abkhazia region. In comments to Russian media, Bartsits said that Abkhaz volunteers, journalists, and doctors are active in combat zones, providing aid to the wounded and directly supporting Russian forces.

“Unfortunately, we have already lost more than 70 of our boys,” Bartsyts said. “In conditions where Russia faces global threats, Abkhazia provides real support, confirming its solidarity not just in words but in concrete actions.”

Bartsyts also stated that he personally visited the combat zone on a humanitarian mission. He arrived in Russia on June 6 and held a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Abkhazia, internationally recognized as part of Georgia, has been under Russian occupation since the early 1990s.