Vladimir Putin turns Georgia into a 'hybrid warfare' test ground

Despite setbacks in Ukraine, Moscow eager to reassert power in old Soviet sphere

20230607 Deep insight Russia Georgia

Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. The latter made his fortune in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. (Source photos by Reuters)

HIROYUKI AKITA, Nikkei commentator

TBILISI, Georgia -- Russia has made myriad strategic blunders and military miscues during its aggression against Ukraine, blighting its prospects for victory. But that does not mean it is losing the geopolitical war to expand its sphere of influence, particularly in the old Soviet bloc.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been working hard to drag neighboring nations into Moscow's fold through "hybrid warfare," behind-the-scenes maneuvering designed to destabilize a country through covert and overt intervention, including subversion, propaganda and cyberattacks. He has had considerable success with the tactic in the former Soviet republic of Georgia.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.