Abkhazia was incorporated into Russia (1810), and in 1931, the USSR merged Abkhazia and Georgia into a unified socialist republic of Georgia. Georgian language was made compulsory and Abkhazi culture was assimilated and dissipated. Abkhazis felt their culture was on the verge of extinction. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Abkhaz rebels rose in rebellion, seeking independence from Georgia. During two years of fighting an estimated 200,000 Georgian refugees fled from Abkhazia and Georgians leveled charges of ethnic cleansing. In 1993, Abkhazi guerrillas captured the key city of Sukhumi and declared their independence. A ceasefire agreement was arranged but political disputes remained unresolved and the international community has not recognized Abkhazi independence.