[impossiblefork]

I wouldn't call it democratic backsliding. I think it's more rightly interpreted as a soft coup by Russia.

[ZoomZoomZoom]

It's not polite to deny a country the agency to backslide on their own.

The corrupt class is, of course, following the oppression guide, so graciously provided and field-tested by their northern neighbour, rather diligently.

It would be unwise to overstate their (elite's) autonomy, considering economical and cultural ties on all levels, though.

[impossiblefork]

Yes, but I don't think they quite did. It's pretty obvious that Russians were operating almost openly, beating people up, seizing people etc.

So I can't view it as purely Georgian backsliding.