--- title: "Marat Kambolov elected president of South Ossetia" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/marat-kambolov-elected-president-of-south-ossetia" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/marat-kambolov-elected-president-of-south-ossetia" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/marat-kambolov-elected-president-of-south-ossetia.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/marat-kambolov-elected-president-of-south-ossetia" category: "Politics" area: "Middle East" published: "2026-09-19T15:45:31.999Z" source_reported: "2026-09-19T14:49:53.000Z" updated: "2026-09-19T15:45:31.999Z" trust_score: 60 critic_score: 61 hype_score: 20 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-19T15:30:31.495545+00:00" --- # Marat Kambolov elected president of South Ossetia *Former Russian federal official wins vote in Georgia's breakaway region* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to a named body, with two independent outlets and a document cited. - Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. Quotes from affected parties, clear fact/comment separation, and specific details provided. - Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. Language is measured and proportionate, with no sensationalism or manufactured urgency. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Marat Kambolov, a former Russian federal official, has been elected president of South Ossetia. - South Ossetia is a Russian-backed breakaway region of Georgia. - Russian state media reported Kambolov received 85% of the vote. - Moscow welcomed the election, stating it signals a desire for closer ties with Russia. Marat Kambolov has been elected president of South Ossetia, a Russian-backed breakaway region of Georgia. Kambolov is a former Russian federal official. Russian state media reported that Kambolov obtained 85% of the vote, with his opponents receiving single-digit percentages. The voter turnout was reported as 73%. Moscow welcomed the election results, describing them as a sign of South Ossetia's desire for closer ties with Russia. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the results demonstrate a widespread desire within South Ossetian society for internal political stability, progress, and comprehensive development of relations with the Russian Federation. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory telegram to Kambolov. South Ossetia and Russia signed a treaty in May to deepen cooperation in defence, foreign policy, and security. Georgia has condemned this treaty, calling it an attempt by Russia to consolidate its de facto annexation of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, another Russian-backed separatist region of Georgia. Tbilisi also criticised Russia's decision to open polling stations in these territories for Russian parliamentary elections held over the weekend. ## Coverage comparison ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mention the treaty signed between South Ossetia and Russia in May, nor Georgia's condemnation of it. The centre-rated digest also omits these details. ## Who covered it Shares of the 9 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 11% (1) - Centre: 22% (2) - Right: 67% (6) 19 of 28 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-19T15:30:31.495545+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 2 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-19T16:15:12.482Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Hot News reported that Vladimir Putin congratulated Marat Kambolov on his victory in the presidential election in South Ossetia. The report stated Kambolov is a former Russian federal official and that Russian state media reported he obtained 85% of the vote. It also noted the voter turnout was 73% and that Kambolov is from North Ossetia, a republic within the Russian Federation. The article detailed the treaty signed between South Ossetia and Russia in May, and Georgia's condemnation of it. It mentioned Kambolov's past roles in the Russian federal government, including the Ministry of Education, and his appointment as prime minister of South Ossetia in June. Kambolov's commitment to improving living standards in the region was also reported. ### Centre - Reuters reported that a former Russian federal official has been elected president of South Ossetia, a Russia-backed breakaway region of Georgia. The vote was hailed by Moscow as a sign of the territory's desire for closer ties with Moscow. The report noted Kambolov is a former Russian federal official. ### Right - The Print reported that a former Russian federal official has been elected president of South Ossetia, a Russia-backed breakaway region of Georgia. The vote was hailed by Moscow as a sign of the region's desire for closer ties with Moscow. The report identified Kambolov as a former Russian federal official. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 1 - low: 1 - mixed: 2 - high: 4 - unknown: 19 - veryHigh: 1 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Naftemporiki](https://naftemporiki.gr/kosmos/2163895/i-ypostirizomeni-apo-ti-rosia-notia-osetia-exelexe-igeti-proskeimeno-sti-moscha) — Russia-Backed South Ossetia Elects Pro-Moscow Leader - [Hot News](https://hotnews.ro/vladimir-putin-il-felicita-pe-castigatorul-alegerilor-din-regiunea-separatista-osetia-de-sud-un-apropiat-al-moscovei-2353222) — Vladimir Putin Congratulates the Winner of the Elections in the Separatist Region of South Ossetia, a Nearby Moscow - HotNews.ro - [Privátbankár.hu](https://privatbankar.hu/cikkek/nemzetkozi/moszkva-barat-vezetot-valasztottak-del-oszetia-elere.html) — Pro-Moscow Leader Elected as South Ossetia's Leader - [focuspress.ro](https://focuspress.ro/alegerile-prezidentiale-din-osetia-de-sud-au-fost-castigate-autoritar-de-un-fost-oficial-rus-6dff849d4) — Presidential Elections in South Ossetia Have Been Won Authoritarianly by a Former Russian Official - [The Print](https://theprint.in/world/russia-backed-south-ossetia-elects-leader-close-to-moscow/3047558) — Russia-backed South Ossetia elects leader close to Moscow - [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/world/europe/russia-backed-south-ossetia-elects-leader-close-to-moscow) — Russia-backed South Ossetia elects leader close to Moscow - [Reuters](https://reuters.com/world/russia-backed-south-ossetia-elects-leader-close-moscow-2026-09-19) — Russia-backed South Ossetia elects leader close to Moscow - [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/09/19/russia-backed-south-ossetia-elects-leader-close-to-moscow) — Russia-backed South Ossetia elects leader close to Moscow - [RTVI](https://rtvi.com/news/putin-pozdravil-kambolova-s-pobedoj-na-vyborah-prezidenta-yuzhnoj-osetii) — Putin Congratulated Kambolov on Winning the Election of the President of South Ossetia - [Hospodárske Noviny](https://hnonline.sk/svet/96303169-juzne-osetsko-si-zvolilo-za-prezidenta-byvaleho-predstavitela-ruskej-vlady) — South Ossetia Elects Former Russian Government Official as President - [Civil.ge](https://civil.ge/archives/751858) — Kambolov Is Winning Occupied Tskhinvali’s ‘Presidential Vote’ As Tbilisi, West Condemn - Civil Georgia - [Life.ru](https://life.ru/p/kurs-na-sblizhenie-s-rossiey-v-mid-otsenili-itogi-vyborov-v-yuzhnoy-osetii) — Course of Convergence with Russia: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Assessed the Results of the South Ossetia Elections - [1prime.ru](https://1prime.ru/20260918/yavka-873458377.html) — The Vote in North Ossetia on Friday Was 37.75%. - [Akşam](https://aksam.com.tr/dunya/guney-osetyada-korsan-sandik-skandali-gurcistandan-rusyanin-ilhak-hamlesine-sert-cikis/haber-1699500) — "Pirate" Ballot Scandal in South Ossetia: Georgia Strongly Condemns Russia's Annexation Move. - [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/09/18/2602453.html) — :. Polling stations have opened across the Republic of South Ossetia for: • - [Haberler](https://haberler.com/guncel/gurcistan-guney-osetya-daki-sozde-secimleri-ve-20251276-haberi) — Georgia Condemned the so-Called Elections in South Ossetia and Russia's Involvement in Setting up Polling Stations. - [LB.ua](https://en.lb.ua/news/2026/09/18/42218_eu_recognise_elections.html) — EU Will Not Recognise Elections in Russia-Occupied South Ossetia Says Kallas - [EADaily](https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2026/09/18/vybory-prezidenta-yuzhnoy-osetii-sostoyalis-yavka-prevysila-62) — The Election of the President of South Ossetia Took Place, with a Turnout of over 62 per Cent - [jauns.lv](https://jauns.lv/raksts/arzemes/729371-latvija-nosoda-prezidenta-velesanas-krievijas-sagrabtaja-gruzijas-dienvidosetija) — Latvia Condemns "Presidential Elections" in Russian-Occupied Georgian South Ossetia - [Aydınlık](https://aydinlik.com.tr/haber/ab-siniri-asti-guney-osetya-halkinin-secimini-tanimadi-590709) — The EU Crossed the Line! It Did Not Recognize the Choice of the South Ossetian People. - [pmo.ee](https://pmo.ee/8548786) — Latvia Condemns so-Called Presidential Elections Taking Place in the Russian-Occupied Part of Georgia - [rmf24.pl](https://rmf24.pl/fakty/swiat/news-wbrew-konstytucji-gruzji-ue-nie-uznaje-wyborow-w-osetii-polu,nIdn,1018309) — "Contrary to the Georgian Constitution." The EU Does Not Recognize the Elections in South Ossetia. - [Європейська правда](https://eurointegration.com.ua/news/2026/09/18/7245801) — Top EU Diplomat Condemns “Elections” in Occupied South Ossetia - [Apa](https://apa.az/europe/gurcustan-xin-tsxinvali-bolgesinde-kecirilen-prezident-seckilerini-qinayib-997237) — Georgian Foreign Ministry Condemns "Presidential Elections" Held in Tskhinvali Region - [Daily Storm](https://dailystorm.ru/vlast/golosovanie-s-osetinskim-koloritom-kak-vybirayut-prezidenta-yuzhnoy-osetii-v-moskve) — Ossetian Color: How Is the President of South Ossetia Elected in Moscow? - [.týždeň - iný pohľad na spoločnosť](https://tyzden.sk/svet/139229/volby-v-juznom-osetsku-su-ruske-divadlo) — The Elections in South Ossetia Are Russian Theater - [vz.ru](https://vz.ru/news/2026/9/18/1452667.html) — Gregorov Voted in the Early Election of the President of South Ossetia - [Interfax.ru](https://interfax.ru/world/1116798) — Presidential Elections Began in South Ossetia ## Questions **Who is Marat Kambolov?** Marat Kambolov is a former Russian federal official who has been elected president of South Ossetia. He previously held high-ranking positions in Russian federal government institutions, including the Ministry of Education, and served as prime minister of South Ossetia. **What is South Ossetia?** South Ossetia is a breakaway region of Georgia that is backed by Russia. It declared independence from Georgia in the early 1990s following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. **How did Moscow react to the election results?** Moscow welcomed the election results, stating they demonstrate South Ossetia's desire for closer ties with Russia. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated the results signal a wish for political stability and comprehensive development of relations with the Russian Federation. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/marat-kambolov-elected-president-of-south-ossetia. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Marat Kambolov elected president of South Ossetia", https://mediabias.news/politics/marat-kambolov-elected-president-of-south-ossetia