INTERNAL POLITICAL CONFLICT IN RUSSIA AND THE WAR IN ABKHAZIA (1992-1993)

Abstract

 Russian and Abkhazian historiography concerning the war in Abkhazia primarily focuses on the internal political conflict in Russia in 1991-1993, characterized by the confrontation between Boris Yeltsin's reformist alliance and radical-conservative entities. While armed clashes did occur, culminating in October 1993 when Yeltsin decisively subdued the opposition led by Supreme Soviet Chairman Ruslan Khasbulatov and Vice President Alexander Rutskoi, critiques by Russian and Abkhazian scholars, suggest fundamental inaccuracies in their assessment of the underlying internal political issues. According to their analyses, Russian politicians lacked a unified strategy concerning the conflict in Abkhazia, and in some instances, Boris Yeltsin even supported Eduard Shevardnadze.

This article reviews the internal political conflict in the Russian Federation in 1992-1993 and provides an analysis of the crucial turning points in the Abkhazian war within this context. In general, President Boris Yeltsin's administration during this period was primarily focused on modernizing the Russian economy and liberalizing its foreign policy (integration into Western political structures). Understandably, the conservative and militaristic political factions expressed dissatisfaction with these developments. However, when considering the facts and outcomes, it becomes clear that the ongoing discontent and controversies had no effect on the final results of the conflict in Abkhazia. The course of events indicated that the prevailing imperial mindset remained steadfast throughout. Even Andrei Kozyrev, the most liberal and influential foreign minister at the time, shared the imperial ideology, advocating for the post-Soviet states to remain within Russia's economic and political sphere of influence. This viewpoint was clearly illustrated by Russia's involvement in the overthrow of Zviad Gamsakhurdia's government during the Georgian Civil War and its active support for separatists in the Abkhazian conflict.

Keywords: Internal political conflict of Russia; War in Abkhazia; Yeltsin; Khasbulatov; Rutskoy;