Abkhazia, which had gained fame in the Soviet Union for its lavish resorts, became one of the hottest spots in the post-Soviet space after the collapse of the USSR. This republic, which was forcibly annexed to Georgia under Stalin, tried to restore its right to sovereignty. In response, Tbilisi sent troops into Abkhazia. The fighting of 1992-1993 went down in history as the Patriotic War of the people of Abkhazia. After its completion, the republic declared independence and has been fighting for international recognition for 25 years. Abkhazia declared independence in 1999 and only gained recognition from Moscow in 2008. Few countries have since followed Russia’s lead and recognised the tiny republic on the Black Sea shore.
Seeking Recognition: Abkhazia
