Prepared by Messenger Staff
EU Sanctions Russian Company With Stakes in Telasi and KhramHPP
The European Union has imposed sanctions on Russian state-controlled energy company Inter RAO, which indirectly owns electricity distributor Telasi and KhramHPP 1 and 2 in Georgia.
Inter RAO was included in the EU's 21st package of sanctions against Russia.
In its decision, the EU said Inter RAO is controlled by the Russian government and plays a significant role in the country's energy sector. The company is partly owned by state firms Rosseti and Rosneftegaz, while its board includes Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin and Dmitry Shugaev, head of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation.
'Accordingly, Inter RAO provides financial support to the Government of the Russian Federation, which is responsible for the annexation of Crimea and the destabilisation of Ukraine,' the EU said.
Inter RAO is one of Russia's largest energy companies, serving around 19 million customers. Its revenue reached RUB 1.36 trillion in 2023.
SSSG Opens Investigation Into Repeated Nationwide Power Outages
Georgia's State Security Service (SSSG) has opened a sabotage investigation after two nationwide power outages on July 24 and 25 left large parts of the country without electricity.
The agency said it launched the investigation under Article 318 of the Criminal Code, which covers disrupting the operation of critical infrastructure with the intent of threatening the state's interests.
The first blackout occurred shortly after midnight on July 24, while a second outage followed at around 8 a.m. on July 25. Power was gradually restored after both incidents.
Authorities have not yet identified the cause of the repeated outages. Georgia's State Electrosystem (GSE) said it is still investigating.
Speaking to TV Pirveli, Enguri Hydroelectric Power Plant Director Levan Mebonia said the outages were caused by the disconnection of the 500-kilovolt 'Imereti' transmission line.
'The 500-kilovolt 'Imereti' line was disconnected. The line is not under my control,' Mebonia said. 'When the line disconnected, the regime was disrupted, and the entire energy system collapsed.'
The outages also affected occupied Abkhazia, where de facto authorities blamed a 'systemic failure' at the Enguri Hydroelectric Power Plant. Georgian authorities have not confirmed that explanation.
