Moscow: South Ossetia and Abkhazia have once again ranked as Russia’s “friendliest neighbours” in the latest 2026 communication index published by the National Research Institute for the Development of Communication.
The annual report evaluates communication and political alignment between Russia and post-Soviet states. The 2026 rankings show South Ossetia maintaining the top position, followed by Abkhazia, while Georgia’s rating improved and Armenia and Azerbaijan saw noticeable declines.
South Ossetia Ranks First with Highest Score
According to the institute’s latest data, South Ossetia scored 95.9 out of 100, up from 94.8 in 2024, solidifying its position as Russia’s closest political and communication partner in the post-Soviet space.
Russia formally recognized South Ossetia’s independence following the 2008 war with Georgia, and ties between Moscow and Tskhinvali have remained strong ever since.
Abkhazia Secures Second Place with Major Rating Increase
Abkhazia ranked second with a score of 90.5, marking a significant jump from 75.9 in 2024.
Like South Ossetia, Abkhazia is internationally recognized by most countries as part of Georgia but is backed politically, economically, and militarily by Moscow.
The consistent top placement of both territories underscores Russia’s continued prioritization of its alliances in the South Caucasus.
Georgia’s Rating Improves Despite Political Tensions
Georgia saw its score rise to 19.4, compared to 15.1 in 2024.
The institute attributed the improvement to:
Continued diplomatic and economic contacts
Refusal to impose sanctions on Russia
Efforts to avoid being drawn into the war in Ukraine
Valentina Komleva, Deputy Research Director at the institute, stated that Georgia’s government media agenda is focused primarily on domestic political objectives rather than promoting an anti-Russian stance.
Despite the improved score, Georgia remains far below South Ossetia and Abkhazia in Moscow’s communication index.
