Russia’s Hegemonic Policy in the Occupied Territories of Georgia

Russia’s role in the South Caucasus is often viewed as an expression of hegemonic policy aimed at maintaining its influence in the region through the use of military, economic, and political instruments. The situation in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region serves as a means for Russia to exert influence over Georgia’s foreign policy orientation, particularly regarding its Euro-Atlantic integration process. The de-facto regimes in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region have a significant impact on Georgia’s state development. First and foremost, this concerns the issue of territorial integrity. Secondly, these conflicts hinder the country’s security environment, economic development, and investment stability. Thirdly, the persistent tensions complicate the establishment of long-term peace in the region. The existence of de-facto regimes affects not only the state directly concerned but also regional security as a whole. Territories with similar status often become sources of military escalation, smuggling, instability, and humanitarian challenges. At the same time, international organizations face difficulties in resolving such conflicts, as they must simultaneously take into account state sovereignty, demands for self-determination, and the interests of great powers. The purpose of this article is to analyze how Russia’s hegemonic policy contributes to the formation and consolidation of de-facto regimes, how identity politics and historical narratives are employed to legitimize these entities, and what impact the involvement of international actors has on the process of conflict resolution.