Kremlin tightens control ahead of parliamentary vote amid rising public anxiety

Russian authorities are intensifying domestic controls ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections, amid heightened public anxiety and long-term governance uncertainties. A recent wave of repression saw the banning of the anti-war Yabloko party and an 11-year prison sentence for senior figure Lev Shlosberg.

Despite official denials, widespread concern over potential military mobilization following the vote has prompted some citizens to liquidate assets and plan trips abroad. These internal pressures coincide with late-summer political risks and unresolved questions surrounding political succession for 73-year-old President Vladimir Putin. Concurrently, Moscow continues to closely monitor snap elections in Serbia, expressing concern over potential foreign-influenced political shifts in the Balkans.

Sources: Avaz, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti