Marat Kambolov, the acting so-called president of the occupied Tskhinvali region, said that several more routes should be built between Russia and “South Ossetia” to connect the two directly.

“Another tunnel is needed, another one, another one and another one — and this is possible with modern technologies,” Kambolov said.

For reference, the Transcaucasian Highway is the only land route that passes through the Roki Tunnel and connects Russia with the occupied Tskhinvali region. The road is frequently closed due to avalanches, rockfalls and bad weather.