Russia withdrawing troops from Georgia’s occupied regions to add forces in Ukraine

Russia has been conducting heavy equipment and manpower transfers from Georgia’s occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions over the past several days to throw them to Ukraine amid hostilities in the country.

Tanks and other equipment were taken by rail from the 7th Russian base stationed in occupied Gudauta to southern Ukraine, Voice of America reports.

From the 4th Russian base stationed in occupied Tskhinvali, heavy equipment passed through the Roki tunnel first to North Ossetia and then by rail to Luhansk and Donetsk in Ukraine.

According to unconfirmed reports, before the start of the war in Ukraine, Russia had about 8,000 troops, 80 tanks, 240 armored vehicles, up to 40 “Grad” type salvo fire, up to 50 self-propelled howitzers “Acacia”, 24 mortars “Sani”, d -30 type howitzers and other weapons in the occupied regions.

Russia recognized Georgia’s two historic regions as independent states after the Russia-Georgia 2008.

Since then only Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria have joined the occupier in the recognition of the territories, while the rest of the international community has been calling on Russia to withdraw forces.