Kyiv: Russia sends up to 2,000 troops from Georgian de facto regions to Ukraine

Kyiv says that Russia has sent about 2,000 troops from Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions to Ukraine to participate in hostilities. 

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces claims that the troops include both Russian, Ossetian and Abkhaz recruits, noting that Russia also sent five tanks from the regions to Ukraine. 

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. 

Hostilities have been in progress since then. 

Russia recognised two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent states after the Russia-Georgia 2008 war. 

Only Nikaragua, Nauru, Syria and Venezuela have joined Russia in the recognition so far, while the rest of the international community call on Russia to withdraw its forces from historic Georgian lands.