The expulsion of Sochi residents from Abkhazia for filming with the Georgian flag sparked a debate on Facebook*.

Many social media users considered the photo with a Georgian flag, for which a Sochi resident and her son were deported from Abkhazia, to be a provocation. Other participants in the discussion expressed support for the detained Sochi residents.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," on April 10, it was reported that a Sochi resident and her 18-year-old son, who had come to Abkhazia to visit relatives, posed for a photo with a Georgian flag at the entrance to Sukhum. Passersby saw this and reported it to security forces. The woman and her son were detained by State Security Service officers and, after a preventive conversation, expelled from Abkhazia.

By 12:45 Moscow time, Facebook* users had left more than 1,400 comments under the "Caucasian Knot" publication about The expulsion of Sochi residents from Abkhazia.

A significant number of commenters considered the photo shoot in Abkhazia with the Georgian flag a provocation. "They did the right thing by expelling them, provocateurs [expletive]!" wrote, among others, Leila Kulumbegova.

"They did the right thing," commented Elena Raeva. "Petty provocateurs, schemers," Elif Argun opined.

"Maybe we should punish them once in a while? Why [...] are they letting them go? While they're being seen, all sorts of [expletive] are taking advantage of it. But if they're jailed for 10 years, other [derogatory word] will think about whether a paid provocation is worth the lost years," said Andrei Dorokhov.

"They forgot to deport their relatives, whom these provocateurs came to visit," noted Anatoly Argun.

Pro-Georgian users expressed a different point of view. They expressed support for the Russian citizens detained in Abkhazia.

"They are heroes and deserve Georgian citizenship for speaking the truth. Abkhazia is Georgia, illegally occupied by Russia," said Victoria Gnedich Poniatowska. "If I were the president of Georgia, I'd give them Georgian citizenship right away," Ni Ko admitted.

"Abkhazia is Georgia! It's just that the truth hurts some people's eyes," wrote Maia Chxobadze. "Even our flag [is] scary," noted Manana Gurgenıdze.

"Abkhazia is Georgian territory," wrote Musa Huseynzade. "So what if they raised the Georgian flag on Georgian soil? I can't understand what's wrong with that," wrote Leila Gurchiani.

"The most interesting thing will happen when Georgia and Russia reach a peaceful agreement, and see how the Abkhaz separatists behave," commented Malkhaz Kokoladze.

Relations between Georgia and Abkhazia remain tense.

As a reminder, on March 4, 30 drones were spotted in the skies over Abkhazia. They were shot down by Abkhazian and Russian air defense forces over 11 populated areas. Abkhazia's Air Force and Air Defense Commander, Adgur Gumba, called this "an unprecedentedly large-scale" use of UAVs for the region. "We've also recorded isolated overflights before – up to 5-7, some of which were shot down, but we didn't publicize this to avoid panic," he said.

The incident raised questions about where the drones were launched from. However, Russian military analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" ruled out Georgia's involvement in the UAV attack. "I can't imagine Georgia attacking Abkhazia with drones," explained Captain First Rank Vasily Dandykin.

However, tensions in relations between Georgia and Abkhazia regularly surface despite the absence of armed conflict. In March, it was reported that a Georgian citizen was detained in Abkhazia on espionage charges. He is suspected of collecting and transmitting information regarding the socio-political situation in Abkhazia, as well as military equipment and transport routes.

In October 2025, another Georgian citizen was also detained by security forces in Abkhazia and accused of espionage for Georgia. According to security forces, during interrogation, he confirmed contacts with Georgian intelligence services and reported receiving money for filming a Russian border outpost in Abkhazia.

On February 12, 2026, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk stated that the Russian side is considering the possibility of restoring rail service with Georgia through Abkhazia.

Georgian representatives have categorically stated that restoring rail service between Russia and Georgia is not under discussion. There is no communication with Moscow on this issue, and discussion of restoring relations is only possible on the condition that Georgia's territorial integrity is restored, stated, in particular, the speaker of the Georgian parliament, Shalva Papuashvili.