Kremlin targets opposition and monitors regional votes amid domestic strain

Russian authorities have banned the anti-war Yabloko party and sentenced senior politician Lev Schlosberg to 11 years in prison ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections. The crackdown occurs amid public anxiety over a potential post-election military draft, prompted by substantial battlefield casualties in Ukraine, leading some citizens to sell property and prepare to leave the country.

These internal tensions overlap with the late-summer period traditionally referred to as "Black August," a timeframe historically associated with political and economic instability in Russia. Beyond domestic politics, Moscow is actively monitoring elections in Serbia, issuing warnings about potential Western-backed color revolutions to safeguard its regional footprint. Meanwhile, long-term uncertainty surrounds Russia's governance, as 73-year-old President Vladimir Putin has designated no official successor.

Sources: Avaz, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti