Russian occupied separatist South Ossetia of Georgia scheduled snap elections for the so-called presidency on 18 September 2026. Incumbent Alan Gagloyev became advisor to Russian president Putin, triggering the election. Correspondingly, the developments unfolded according to a traditional Kremlin-playbook scenario of a managed transfer of power.
Background
On 9 May 2026 Russia and the separatist government of South Ossetia signed a “Treaty on Deepening Allied Cooperation”, a successor to the integration pact of 2015. The treaty aims for further economic integration, especially in the energy, transport, and telecommunications sectors. At the same time it strives to converge legislation, expanding cooperation in education, culture, and health. This was not much new and a continuation of standing practice as result of the 2015 treaty.1Jamestown Foundation, Mamie Powers, 26 June 2026, South Ossetia and Russia Make Further Steps Toward Annexation
A focal point of attention was that the treaty allows Russian citizens to hold official (political) positions at the so-called “state and municipal” level in South Ossetia. This enables the Kremlin to place its officials in the South Ossetian government.
Separatist president Alan Gagloyev said the treaty “will be the beginning of the [re]unification of the Ossetian people”. Successive separatist governments frequently expressed the desire to merge with the autonomous republic of North Ossetia in Russia, joining the Russian Federation. A few days after Russian president Putin ratified the treaty,2RES Agency, 25 May 2026, Владимир Путин подписал закон о ратификации договора с Южной Осетией Gagloyev appointed Marat Kambolov as his advisor to oversee the implementation of the treaty. 3RES Agency, 27 May 2026, Марат Камболов назначен государственным советником президента Южной Осетии As a Russian Ossete, Kambolov had no direct ties with South Ossetia and served Russian institutions for decades.
Grooming leadership
Analysts widely anticipated the Kremlin wanted to replace Gagloyev, whose term was set to expire in 2027, with Kambolov.4Radio Tavisupleba (RFE/RL), 28 May 2026, ვინ არის მარატ კამბოლოვი, რომელსაც კრემლში გაგლოევის სავარაუდო შემცვლელად განიხილავენ? (Who is Marat Kambolov, who is being considered as a possible replacement for Gagloev in the Kremlin?) As Russian citizen lacking a South Ossetian “citizenship”, Kambolov is eligible to hold official positions under the new treaty.
The corrupte and clan-based politics in South Ossetia dissatisfied the Kremlim. There was also a lack of economic performance. Consequently, installing an outsider for the proxy-leadership was a logic step to tighten control. Russia’s impatience became clear with the resignation and dismissal of the government of South Ossetia on 8 June 2026. This sped up the process of grooming Kambolov for the leadership.5Radio Tavisupleba (RFE/RL), 8 June 2026, ოკუპირებული ცხინვალის “პრემიერად” გაგლოევი მარატ კამბოლოვს წარადგენს – მას კრემლში გაგლოევის სავარაუდო შემცვლელად განიხილავენ
Gagloyev picked Kambolov the same day to lead the new government as prime minister. Without delay, the South Ossetian parliament agreed to this a week later. In his inaugural speech Kambolov emphasized the need for South Ossetians to unite.6RES Agency, 16 June 2026, Парламент Южной Осетии единогласно одобрил кандидатуру Марата Камболова на должность председателя правительства The appointment was a violation of South Ossetia’s own constitution. It stipulates that candidates for prime minister should have lived in South Ossetia continuously for 10 years. Kambolov did not qualify this criterium, as he never lived in South Ossetia until his appointment as advisor on 25 May 2026.7OC Media, 16 June 2026, North Ossetian Marat Kambolov appointed South Ossetian Prime Minister
Take-over
On 23 June 2026 Gagloyev resigned as president. He became advisor to Russian president Vladimir Putin to facilitate the implementation of the Russo-South Ossetian treaty. Putin offered him the job a day prior.8OC Media, 23 June 2026, South Ossetian President Alan Gagloev resigns9RES Agency, 23 June 2026, Владимир Путин назначил Алана Гаглоева своим советником: что известно (Vladimir Putin appointed Alan Gagloyev as his adviser: what is known)
Gagloyev said the treaty “will help the Ossetian people become united again”. According to him “it will be an important step towards the reunification of South and North Ossetia”. To merge with the autonomous republic of North Ossetia in Russia, and thus joining the Russian Federation. He added, “today, our task is to make our cherished dream come true—to overcome the fate of a divided people and reunite with North Ossetia, to reunite with Greater Russia”. The emphasis on re-union by Gagloyev is a historic falsehood, as both territories have never been one (administrative) entity.
Gagloyev’s transfer to Moscow promoted Kambolov to the “head of state” as acting president, in line with the constitution. In line with the constitution, the elections should take place within 90 days of the early resignation. The South Ossetian parliament agreed on 1 July 2026 to set the date for 18 September 2026.10Civil Georgia, 2 July 2026, ‘Presidential Vote’ Set for September 18 in Occupied Tskhinvali11RES Agency, 2 July 2026, The South Ossetian Parliament has set a date for early presidential elections
Candidates
The election code requires candidates to have resided permanently in South Ossetia for ten years prior to the election. This did not prevent Marat Kambolov to get nominated by workers of the BTK-4 factory and registered as candidate.12RES Agency, 3 July 2026, Kambolov has become the first candidate for the post of President of South Ossetia
In subsequent days his candidacy was endorsed by Gagloyev’s Nykhas party,13RES Agency, 6 July 2026, Партия «Ныхас» поддержала кандидатуру Марата Камболова на выборах президента Южной Осетии (Nykhas Party supported Marat Kambolov’s candidacy in the South Ossetian presidential elections) the United Ossetia party of former president Bibilov,14RES Agency, 6 July 2026, «Единая Осетия» поддержит Марата Камболова на выборах президента Южной Осетии (United Ossetia will support Marat Kambolov in South Ossetian presidential elections) and the Communist Party.15RES Agency, 6 July 2026, Компартия войдет в инициативную группу по выдвижению Марата Камболова кандидатом в президенты Южной Осетии (The Communist Party will join the initiative group to nominate Marat Kambolov as a candidate for president of South Ossetia) These are three out of four parties in the parliament.
This ensured an orchestrated outcome, having all major political stakeholders endorsing Kambolov, with no other prominent figures in sight. Consequently, the Kremlin ensured no viable competition appeared on the scene. In 2022 the presidential election was quite close between incumbent Bibilov and his Kremlin backed opponent Gagloyev.
![[2020 archive] Arrests near ABL South Ossetia](https://occupied.eastwatch.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/DSC_2888-1038x372.jpg)
