Sukhumi, Abkhazia – Authorities in Abkhazia have detained a Russian national accused of collaborating with Ukrainian intelligence to orchestrate an attack on Sukhumi Airport, the breakaway region’s State Security Service announced on Monday.
The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, was reportedly employed by a construction firm conducting repairs at the airport. According to Abkhazian security officials, the arrest followed a joint operation with Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), which alleged that the individual had been in contact with Ukraine’s Defense Ministry.
In a statement, Abkhazia’s State Security Service claimed the suspect had confessed to working with a foreign intelligence service to “organize a sabotage and terrorist act” at the airport.
“An unknown person contacted me on Telegram, introducing himself as an employee of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate,”
the agency quoted the suspect as saying.
“He said he found me in anti-war and anti-Russian groups online and asked me to fight the regime together. I agreed.”
The suspect allegedly sent detailed engineering plans of Sukhumi Airport to his Ukrainian contact, highlighting potential locations for planting explosives. Authorities stated that the attack was planned for June 2025 but was thwarted due to the arrest.
Reopened Airport a Symbol of Russian Influence
Sukhumi Airport resumed operations in May 2025 after a 33-year hiatus, having been non-functional since the early 1990s war in Abkhazia. Its reconstruction, carried out by a Russian company, has been met with mixed reactions—some locals fear it signifies growing Russian control over the region.
The detained individual now faces espionage charges. The case underscores heightened tensions in the region, where accusations of foreign-backed sabotage have increased amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Abkhazia, recognized by only a handful of countries as independent from Georgia, has deepened ties with Moscow in recent years. This incident is likely to further solidify security cooperation between Sukhum and the Kremlin.
