SOUTH OSSETIA has announced plans to join the Russian Federation, a move described by the president of the separatist Caucasus republic Anatoly Bibilov as the will of the people.

“I believe that unification with Russia is our strategic goal and the aspiration of our people. We will move along this path,” the leader of the region — regarded internationally as Georgian territory, but recognised as independent by Russia since the Georgia-Russia war of 2008 — said. 

“We will take appropriate legal steps in the near future.”