Kremlin faces internal pressure and succession questions ahead of Russian elections

The Russian government is navigating a period of heightened political pressure and domestic anxiety ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections. Authorities have intensified crackdowns on political dissent, banning the anti-war party Yabloko and handing an 11-year prison sentence to opposition figure Lev Schlossberg. Meanwhile, public concerns over potential military mobilization are mounting following heavy battlefield casualties in Ukraine, prompting some citizens to liquidate assets.

Long-term stability remains uncertain as analysts highlight the lack of a clear succession strategy for 73-year-old President Vladimir Putin. Concurrently, Moscow is focusing on foreign political developments, raising concerns over potential Western-backed "color revolutions" tied to upcoming Serbian elections.

Sources: Avaz, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti