Russian leaders back Georgian rebels

MOSCOW, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- The upper chamber of Russia's parliament voted unanimously Monday to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent from Georgia.

The chamber voted 130 to 0 with the lower chamber scheduled to vote later on the status of the two breakaway regions of Georgia.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has the final say, CNN reported. Russia invaded Georgia this month after Georgian forces attacked separatists in South Ossetia on Aug. 7.

South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity told the Russia upper chamber he believes South Ossetia and Abkhazia have more grounds for independence than does Kosovo, which declared independence in February from Russia's ally Serbia, though Serbia refuses to recognize Kosovo's self-declared independence.

Russian officials have said Abkhazia and South Ossetia should be able to determine their future without interference from Georgia or the United States, CNN reported.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke from Georgia in the 1990s, but aren't recognized as independent nations by Russia or the United Nations.