The editorial board of Radio “Ekho Kavkaza” has issued a statement announcing that the outlet ceased operations as of May 1, 2026.
The decision was reportedly made as part of a restructuring of RFE/RL (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty). The “Ekho Kavkaza” website will no longer be updated but will remain available as an archive.
“Dear readers, Radio ‘Ekho Kavkaza,’ the Russian-language service of RFE/RL focused on audiences in Georgia and the self-proclaimed republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, ceased its work on May 1, 2026.
RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus explained the decision as a necessity of restructuring:
‘These measures are being taken to maintain RFE/RL’s position as an influential, relevant, and financially responsible organization… As part of the restructuring, we are saying goodbye to some truly talented colleagues who have long dedicated themselves to RFE/RL’s mission.’
According to the press service of the American media corporation, ‘The Georgian Service will continue broadcasting in the Georgian language; a new Russian-language programming unit will cover significant events in these occupied regions [Abkhazia and South Ossetia — Ed. note] for a Russian-speaking audience.’
Radio ‘Ekho Kavkaza’ was established on November 2, 2009. For over sixteen years, we covered events in Georgia with a particular focus on the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Thanks to correspondents in Tbilisi, Sukhumi, and Tskhinvali, as well as the team in Prague and Tbilisi, we produced breaking news, analytical materials, interviews, and discussions, and maintained an active presence on social media. Our focus remained on political processes, human rights, media freedom, the socio-economic status of the population, and external influences on the region.
Since 2022, the ‘Ekho Kavkaza’ website has been blocked in Russia. Following the designation of RFE/RL as an ‘undesirable’ organization (nezhelatelnaya organizatsiya) in the Russian Federation, working with sources in Abkhazia and South Ossetia became possible only anonymously. Due to the loss of the live voices of correspondents and respondents, we were forced to cease radio broadcasting, which had previously run uninterrupted for nearly 15 years.
However, we did not stop our work; we sought new sources of information and created new ways to engage with our audience.
Our efforts in covering the region were highly regarded by colleagues. Renowned Canadian journalist and analyst Neil Hauer, specializing in the Caucasus, Russia, and Ukraine, wrote on May 1:
‘One of the few truly reliable sources of news on Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Consistently high-quality reporting that is second to none. Our understanding of both regions will suffer greatly as a result.’
The website www.ekhokavkaza.com will no longer be updated; however, it will remain available in archive mode. We hope that the materials collected over these years will continue to serve as a valuable source of information for everyone studying our region.
The Editorial Board,” the statement reads.
The Russian-language service of Radio Liberty — “Ekho Kavkaza” — has closed after 17 years
