On September 23, 2026, a gala reception marking the Day of Victory and Independence of the Republic of Abkhazia organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Abkhazia in the Russian Federation took place in Moscow.
Attendees included Oleg Bartsits, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia, representatives of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation; senior officials from the relevant department of the Russian Foreign Ministry; heads and staff of diplomatic missions accredited in Moscow; Vito Grittani, the Ambassador-at-Large of the Abkhaz Foreign Ministry, as well as prominent public figures and members of the Abkhaz diaspora in Moscow.
In his opening remarks, Alkhas Kvitsinia, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Abkhazia to the Russian Federation emphasized that the victory in the Patriotic War of the People of Abkhazia achieved 33 years ago was a defining factor in the modern history of the Republic of Abkhazia and laid a solid foundation for its sovereignty.
Mikhail Kalugin, Director of the Department for Relations with CIS Countries at the Russian Foreign Ministry highlighted the historical significance and the high price paid for this victory, stressing that the heroism of the fallen serves as the foundation of modern Abkhaz statehood. He also noted that Abkhazia’s steady development stands as a tribute to their memory and a testament to the courage of the veterans who are still with us today.
Oleg Bartsits, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia, also addressed the guests.
"This victory came at an extremely high price for our people. We remember and honor the defenders of Abkhazia who, rallying around our national leader Vladislav Grigoryevich Ardzinba, upheld our state's sovereign and independent course, as well as the people's right to self-determination and the creation of their own state and national project," Oleg Bartsits noted.
Following the official proceedings, a cultural program was presented to the guests.
