Russia and its neighbor Belarus will now share the same mobile network, according to reports in Russian media. This means that when someone travels from Russia to Belarus or vice versa, their mobile phone will continue to work on the home network rather than the “roaming” network.

Moreover, the two countries will also soon have the same currency, according to reports.

Belarus is a close ally of Russia and Moscow has used its territory as a staging post for its attack on Ukraine. Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine on February 24.

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Meanwhile, South Ossetia, a Moscow-backed breakaway region of Georgia, is taking steps to become part of Russia. A referendum is organized for the same purpose.

With these moves, Russia appears to be tightening its grip and increasing its influence in the region as it continues to wage war against its neighbor Ukraine.

RUSSIAN-UKRAINE WAR | LAST

• As Moscow announced it would drastically reduce its operations near Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, US President Joe Biden said on Thursday there was “no clear evidence” that Moscow was doing what he announced.
• Meanwhile, NATO’s secretary general said Russian forces in Ukraine were regrouping to double their attacks in the east of the country.
• Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine were due to resume online Friday morning.
• In the 37 days since Russia invaded Ukraine, more than three million people have fled Ukraine. Hundreds of civilians died and many more soldiers lost their lives.