The United States is deeply troubled by reports that Russian-led security actors have resumed aggressive “borderization” activities along the administrative boundary line of the Russian-occupied Georgian territory of South Ossetia, near the village of Takhtisdziri, the U.S. Embassy to Georgia said in a statement issued on Friday evening.

“We condemn any actions by the de facto authorities in Tskhinvali that aggravate tensions and distract from urgent efforts to safeguard the lives and health of the affected populations, particularly during the Orthodox Easter weekend and against the backdrop of the global pandemic crisis.

We call for an immediate halt to the construction of any signs, structures, fencing, or barriers intended to strengthen or expand the illegal “borderization” of the administrative boundary line. We once again call on Russia to end its illegal occupation of 20 percent of Georgian territory and fulfill its commitments under the 2008 ceasefire agreement, which include withdrawing its forces to pre-conflict positions and allowing unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance,” the statement reads.