Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Former Russian Official Elected Leader of Russia-Backed South Ossetia
South Ossetia is a small region that broke away from Georgia.
Russia supports the region and has a military base there.
Marat Kambolov was elected its new president.
He previously worked for the Russian government and comes from North Ossetia.
Russian officials said the result showed that people in South Ossetia want closer links with Russia.
Kambolov promised to improve living conditions.
Georgia says Russia is trying to strengthen its control over the region.
South Ossetia depends heavily on Russia for money, energy and supplies.
Marat Kambolov, a former Russian federal official, won South Ossetia’s presidential election with 85% of the vote, according to Russian state media.
Moscow welcomed the result as evidence of South Ossetia’s desire for stability and closer ties with Russia.
Kambolov previously served in Russian government bodies and became South Ossetia’s prime minister in June.
Russia and South Ossetia signed a May treaty expanding cooperation on defense, foreign policy, security, energy and transport.
Georgia condemned the treaty and criticized Russia for opening State Duma polling stations in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
- Who
- Marat Kambolov was elected president of South Ossetia, a Russia-backed breakaway region of Georgia.
- What
- Kambolov won the presidential election and pledged to improve living standards and strengthen the region’s development.
- When
- The election was held on Friday, with the result announced on Saturday, September 19.
- Where
- South Ossetia, including its capital, Tskhinvali, in the Caucasus region.
- Why
- Moscow presented the result as reflecting support for political stability and closer ties with Russia, while Georgia opposed Russia’s growing role in the territory.
Moscow and South Ossetia
Georgia
Meaning of the election
Moscow and South Ossetia
Moscow said Kambolov’s victory demonstrated South Ossetian society’s desire for stability, progress and comprehensive ties with Russia.
Georgia
Georgia opposed Russia’s broader involvement in South Ossetia and described its policies as an attempt to cement de facto annexation.
May cooperation treaty
Moscow and South Ossetia
Russia and South Ossetia presented the treaty as a framework for deeper cooperation in defense, foreign policy, security, energy and transport.
Georgia
Georgia condemned the treaty as an attempt by Russia to strengthen its control over South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Polling stations in breakaway regions
Moscow and South Ossetia
Russia opened polling stations in South Ossetia and Abkhazia for its State Duma elections from September 18 to 20.
Georgia
Tbilisi criticized Russia’s decision to conduct the voting in the two breakaway Georgian territories.
- Winner
- Marat Kambolov
- Reported vote share
- 85%, according to Russian state media
- Turnout
- 73%
- Population
- About 50,000 people
- Previous position
- Prime minister of South Ossetia; previously held senior Russian federal government posts
- Russia-South Ossetia treaty
- Signed in May and covering defense, foreign and security policy, energy grids and transport networks
- Regional dependence
- South Ossetia relies heavily on Russia for food, equipment, energy, public-sector wages, pensions and infrastructure funding