Status: 05/13/2022 9:00 p.m
In Georgia, the authorities of the breakaway region of South Ossetia are planning a referendum to decide whether to join Russia. The Georgian government condemned the project as “unacceptable”.
The Georgian separatist region of South Ossetia has announced a referendum on joining the Russian Federation for July 17. The still incumbent president of the region, Anatoly Bibilov, signed a corresponding decree. This was announced by his office. This corresponds to the “historical aspirations” of the people in South Ossetia.
The plans had already emerged in the past few days. The newly elected President Alan Glagoev had also spoken out in favor of a referendum, but wanted to wait for Moscow’s approval. The Georgian government condemned such a plan as “unacceptable”.
Population was offered Russian citizenship
South Ossetia, with around 60,000 inhabitants, borders on North Ossetia, which belongs to Russia. After a short war against Georgia in 2008, Russia recognized not only South Ossetia but also the coastal region of Abkhazia as independent.
Russia is already providing financial support to both regions and has also stationed thousands of soldiers there. The population was offered Russian citizenship.
Bibilov’s announcement came against the background of the Russian military operation in Ukraine. At the end of March he had already spoken on Russian television. He also announced in March that he had sent South Ossetian soldiers to Ukraine to “help protect Russia”. At the election