Direct Flights Between Russia and Georgia Met with Protests.

Dozens of Georgians protested outside Tbilisi airport as a Russian passenger plane landed in the country for the first time since 2019. Anti-Russian sentiment runs deep in Georgia, which was annexed by the Russian empire in the 19th century and forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union. There have been no formal diplomatic ties between the two countries since Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 following years of tensions over Tbilisi's pro-Western orientation. The resumption of air travel comes as Moscow's offensive in Ukraine stretches into its second year with most Western companies having cancelled their own flights to Russia.