South Ossetia is a partially recognized and Russian-occupied separatist state internationally recognized as part of Georgia. It is mainly inhabited by Ossetians, an ethnic group also dominant in North Ossetia, which is part of Russia. South Ossetia separated itself from Georgia following the 1991–1992 South Ossetia War with the help of Russia, remaining ever since as a state closely allied with this country.
South Ossetia is heavily dependent on Russia, and due to this and the fact that North Ossetia is already part of the Russian Federation, it has been proposed that both regions be united under Russian rule. In 1992, a referendum which was to decide whether South Ossetia should stay as a part of Georgia following the dissolution of the Soviet Union was held. This referendum also asked if South Ossetia should join Russia, and it was approved by an overwhelming majority of the voters. Posteriorly, during the 2010s, Leonid Tibilov and Anatoly Bibilov, important South Ossetian political figures, both of whom have held the post of President of South Ossetia, recurrently spoke of the possibility of unifying both halves of Ossetia through a new referendum on annexation by Russia. However, these proposals were never carried out.
In 2022, Bibilov said that legal action was being undertaken, referring to the preparation of another referendum, for joining South Ossetia into Russia. North Ossetia expressed itself in favour of this, and Russian authorities stated that they respected the desire of the South Ossetian people. However, Georgia opposed this, describing this idea as unacceptable. This referendum was to happen after the 2022 South Ossetian presidential election, in which Bibilov was not re-elected, with Alan Gagloev taking his office instead. Gagloev showed less interest in unification with Russia than his opponent, but still supported the idea. On 13 May, Bibilov, still as incumbent president, announced that a referendum for the annexation of South Ossetia into Russia would take place on 17 July, in 2022; days later, on 30 May, Gagloev said the referendum would be suspended until consultations had been made with Russia.
Discussion about Abkhazia being annexed by Russia has also been made as a consequence of South Ossetia's ambitions. Analysts have often discussed both regions together, as Abkhazia is also a partially recognized state that broke off from Georgia with Russia's help, to which it remains dependent as well. However, Abkhazia is more independent from Russia, and has rejected South Ossetia's "Ossetianization" approach in regards to this country as some have described it. Abkhazia has expressed its intention to remain an independent state from Russia, although it has also declared support for South Ossetia's intention to unite with its northern counterpart in this country.