South Ossetia13 May 2022 21:46
Georgia region to hold referendum on joining Russia
The leader of breakaway region South Ossetia has announced a referendum on whether to become a part of Russia.
A statement from the office of Anatoly Bibilov said it was his people's "historic aspiration" to come together with Russia, and the vote would take place on 17 July.
Moscow recognises the region as independent, after a brief war between Russia and Georgia in 2008, and has provided financial support, Russian citizenship for its citizens and sited military bases there.
Georgia maintains that South Ossetia is an occupied territory and previously said that a referendum on joining Russia would be unacceptable.
From the BBC