Russian-controlled forces resume creeping occupation near occupied Tskhinvali
The Russian controlled occupation forces appeared near the village of Ghogheti earlier today with tractors. Photo: RFE/RL.
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The Russian-controlled occupation forces have resumed the creeping occupation near the village of Ghogheti, Kareli municipality in central Georgia, close to the country’s Russian-occupied Tskhinvali region.
Occupation forces have made the so-called anti-fire tilths on the Tbilisi-controlled territory.
Locals say that their lands have appeared under the Russian-controlled following the illegal action.
The Georgian State Security Service says that the European Union Monitoring Mission has been informed regarding the creeping occupation.
Russia has redoubled its occupation efforts during the pandemic which has been condemned by the international community.
Russia occupied the two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali back in 2008, during the Russia-Georgia 2008 war which is about 20 per cent of the Georgian territory.
However, starting 2011 Russia has been carrying out the creeping occupation of Georgian territories.
The length of the occupation line to Tskhinvali is more than 350 kilometers, while the length of the occupation line to Abkhazia amounts to 145 kilometers, the Georgian State Security Service says.
According to unofficial information by anti-occupation activists the occupation forces have grabbed 16,570,000 square meters of land to Tskhinvali alone since 2011.
Georgia has condemned the adoption of a plan to create a common socio-economic space between Russia and the Russian-occupied Abkhazia region of Georgia which comes after the meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and De-facto President of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania on November 12.
Russian-controlled occupation forces continue to erect new iron poles and fences near the Nikozi village of central Georgia, Gori municipality, about 15 metres from the occupation line.
The US Department of State has called on Russia to withdraw its forces from the occupied regions of Georgia and fulfil obligations of the 2008 ceasefire agreement it signed to end the conflict.
The US Embassy to Georgia has responded to the 12th anniversary of the Russia-Georgia 2008 war, stating that ‘August 7 is a somber reminder of the thousands who have suffered and continue to suffer in the wake of Russia’s invasion.’