British Ministry of Defense Says Russia Is Moving Forces From Georgia to Ukraine

The same day, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said the UK and its allies had agreed to send more weapons, including artillery, ammunition and long-range air defense systems, to Ukraine.

“There will be more weapons aid coming to Ukraine. Some countries have also made more financial support commitments,” he told reporters, Independent reported.

Georgia is Russia’s southwestern neighbor. In 2008, Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia – two pro-Moscow breakaway regions in Georgia – after separatist forces there clashed with government troops.

Moscow accused Georgian government troops of aggression against South Ossetia and Abkhazia, then launched a so-called “peace-guaranteed” operation to protect civilians.

The leader of South Ossetia said on March 30 that the region would take legal steps to join Russia in the near future, according to TASS .

“I believe that merging with Russia is our strategic goal. This is the path and aspirations of our people,” said Anatoly Bibilov, the leader of the self-proclaimed republic of South Ossetia in Georgia.

“We should move forward on this path. We will take corresponding legal steps in the near future. The Republic of South Ossetia will become part of the historical motherland of Russia,” Bibilov said.

The British intelligence came just days after Moscow said it would scale back its attacks on Kyiv and Chernihiv. In a speech on March 30, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Russian army is concentrating on new attacks in the east, and the Ukrainians are “ready for this”.