The Georgian Foreign Ministry also condemned the move, stating that Russia “once again violated the international law” and urged the international community to give a ‘due response’ to the country’s illegal activities in Georgia.

According to preliminary reports, over 25,000 individuals participated in Russian elections from Georgian Tskhinvali and Abkhazia regions.

Russia recognised Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent states after the Russia-Georgia 2008 war.

Since then only Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria have joined Russia in the recognition, while the rest of the international community call upon the country to leave the Georgian territory.