List of ambassadors of Russia to Abkhazia

Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Abkhazia
Emblem of the Russian Foreign Ministry
Incumbent Mikhail Shurgalin  [ ru ] since 31 May 2022
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Embassy of Russia in Sukhumi
Style	His Excellency The Honourable
Reports to	Minister of Foreign Affairs
Seat	Sukhumi
Appointer	President of Russia
Term length	At the pleasure of the president
Website	Embassy of Russia in Abkhazia

The ambassador of Russia to Abkhazia is the official representative of the president and the government of the Russian Federation to the president and the government of Abkhazia.

The ambassador and his staff work at large in the Russian embassy in Sukhumi. ^[1] The current Russian ambassador to Abkhazia is Mikhail Shurgalin  [ ru ], incumbent since 31 May 2022. ^[2]

History of diplomatic relations

Main articles: Abkhazia–Russia relations and Georgia–Russia relations

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia and Georgia developed diplomatic relations. Tensions arose over Russia's support for the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, culminating in the Russo-Georgian War in August 2008, resulting in de facto control over the two regions. While most of the international community considers Abkhazia and South Ossetia to be de jure Georgian territories under Russian occupation, Russia and four other UN member states consider them to be independent. Russia officially recognized Abkhazia as independent on 6 August 2008, and established official diplomatic relations on 9 September 2008. ^[3] Semyon Grigoryev was appointed the first ambassador to Abkhazia on 25 October 2008. ^[4] Grigoriyev presented his Letters of Credence to President of Abkhazia, Sergey Bagapsh on 16 December 2008. ^[5] The Russian embassy in Sukhumi opened on 1 May 2009. ^[6]

List of representatives of Russia to Abkhazia (2008–present)

Name	Title	Appointment	Termination	Notes
Semyon Grigoryev	Ambassador	25 October 2008	30 March 2018	Credentials presented on 16 December 2008
Aleksey Dvinyanin  [ ru ]	Ambassador	30 March 2018	17 March 2022	Credentials presented on 15 May 2018
Maksim Litvinov	Chargé d'affaires	17 March 2022	31 May 2022
Mikhail Shurgalin  [ ru ]	Ambassador	31 May 2022		Credentials presented on 21 July 2022

References

1. "Посольство Российской Федерации в Республике Абхазия" (in Russian). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia) . Retrieved 21 November 2025.
2. "Посол" (in Russian). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia) . Retrieved 21 November 2025.
3. "Двусторонние отношения" (in Russian). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia) . Retrieved 21 November 2025.
4. Президент Российской Федерации. Указ №1527 от 25 October 2008 «О назначении Григорьева С.В. Чрезвычайным и Полномочным Послом Российской Федерации в Республике Абхазия». ( President of Russia . Ukaz #1527 of 25 October 2008 On the appointment of S.V. Grigoriyev as the Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Abkhazia . ).
5. "Президент Сергей Багапш принял Верительную грамоту оТ Чрезвычайного и Полномочного посла Российской Федерации в Республике Абхазия С.В. Григорьева". President of Abkhazia. 16 December 2008. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 2009-06-14.
6. Посольство России в Абхазии начало работу на постоянной основе. «Интерфакс» 01 мая 2009 года 23:26