the balance of war: abkhazia

Abkhazia is a break away region of Georgia. 15 years ago saw a bloody year-long war between Abkhazia and Georgia after the break up of the Soviet Union. While a seemingly insignificant region, Abkhazia has the potential to be a spark point for a regional conflict. Russia supports the Abkhaz and is dependent on their resources for the construction of their Olympic facilities in Sochi. Russia would love to pull Georgia into another war with Abkhazia and diminish their hopes of entering NATO. The USA supports Georgia and has trained their soldiers, many of whom are serving in Iraq. Once the jewel of The Black Sea, Abkhazia is now a land of destroyed buildings and shattered dreams. There are an estimated 300,000 refugees still living in Georgia who have nothing to return to but burned out homes and economic hardships. These photos are a look at what is left in the country and a reminder of the weight of war in Abkhazia. In the days following the making of these photos, Abkhazia sealed the border with Georgia after six bombs were detonated in the region killing a UN translator and local government head. These photos are the most recent of the calm before a potentially terrible storm.

A destroyed cable car in Tkvarcheli, Abkhazia. Once a mining town with a population of over 20,000, the war saw the closure of almost all local businesses and now less than 5,000 people remain.
  
Young refugee and cat. Tskaltubo, Georgia.
   
The first public swimming pool in Abkhazia, now in ruins.
     
  
Grafitti, refugee wall. Tskaltubo, Georgia.
   
Children playing soccer in Tkvarcheli, Abkhazia. Once a thriving town of over 20,000 the current population is estimated to be less than 5,000.
   
Exorcism, Gali, Abkhazia.
     
  
The Black Sea, Sukhumi, Abkhazia.
   
Land mine victim's prosthetic leg, Repi, Abkhazia.
   
Black Sea, Sukhumi, Abkhazia.
     
  
War damaged buildings, Achidara, Abkhazia.
   
Refugee girl, Tskaltubo, Georgia.
   
Refugee TV, Tskaltubo, Georgia.
     
  
Women praying at a church in Tbilisi, Georgia.
   
Refugee wall, near Kutaisi, Georgia.
   
Refugee, Tskaltubo, Georgia.
     
  
Refugee slippers, Tbilisi Sea, Georgia.
   
Layla's mother, refugee sanitorium, Tskaltubo, Georgia.
   
Overgrown grave, Gali, Abkhazia.
     
  
Refugee, Lenin, Marx and Engels, Tskaltubo, Georgia.
   
Destroyed college, Gali, Abkhazia.