Former Soviet states eye opportunities as Russia suffers Ukraine rout

Moscow's influence in the Caucasus and central Asia is being unravelled by its special military operation'

The rout of the Russian army in Ukraine's Kharkiv region seems likely to be a turning point in Kyiv's battle to kick Russian troops out of the country, but it may also cause much broader fallout for Moscow in the wider region, as other former Soviet countries witness what appears to be the limits of Moscow's capabilities.

The power of the Russian flag has declined considerably, and the security system across the former Soviet space does seem to be broken," said Laurence Broers, associate fellow at Chatham House.