Dmitry Khripulin, 25, reportedly asked for asylum today at a Georgian police station near the village of Perevi, which has been occupied by Russian military units since last year's five-day military conflict between Russia and Georgia.
Georgian authorities immediately transferred Khripulin to Tbilisi, where Migration Minister Koba Subeliani met with him.

Khripulin told journalists after the meeting that his decision to ask for political asylum was morally motivated.

He said was unable "to stand the current lawlessness in South Ossetia any longer."

Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia in August 2008.

Russia recognized their independence and Russian military units have been guarding the two self-proclaimed republics' border since then.

Khripulin is the third Russian soldier to have asked for political asylum in Georgia this year.

At least one Georgian soldier has asked Russian authorities for asylum.