Fuel Prices In Russian-Occupied Abkhazia To Rise Amid Shortages
By Messenger Staff
Monday, August 17, 2026
Fuel prices in Russian-occupied Abkhazia will rise to 110 Russian rubles (3.41 GEL) per liter, the region's de facto Energy Minister Batal Mushba said on August 15.
Mushba said fuel bought through "alternative channels" had become more expensive because of the shortage of petroleum products. He said maintaining supplies was a priority and that companies were selling fuel without profit to keep the local market supplied.
He did not mention the gasoline recently brought into Abkhazia from territory controlled by Georgia's central government.
The shipment was confirmed on August 12 by Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who said it had been arranged by private business and complied with Georgia's Law on Occupied Territories.
"We did not bring it in, business did," Kobakhidze said.
Giorgi Arveladze, owner of Georgian company Solidus, confirmed that his company delivered the fuel. He said the shipment was necessary to prevent a larger crisis, warning that otherwise "40,000 Georgians would have started moving to Zugdidi in 20-liter canisters."
The Georgian Dream government stated that Solidus did not need a separate special authorization act for the transaction because the company already holds "special enterprise status." The status, introduced under rules approved in 2019, allows qualifying companies to engage in economic activities in the occupied territory.
Kobakhidze issued a decree on August 11 extending Solidus's authorization for another three months, covering activities dating from July 18, 2026.
