Kremlin tightens control at home and monitors Serbia ahead of elections

Ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections, Russian authorities have intensified measures against political opposition by banning the anti-war Yabloko party and sentencing official Lev Schlosberg to 11 years in prison. Meanwhile, growing public concern over potential post-election military mobilization, driven by heavy casualties in Ukraine, has prompted some citizens to liquidate assets and plan departures. These domestic pressures coincide with Russia's traditional late-summer period of heightened political and economic vulnerability, historically known as Black August. Beyond its borders, Moscow maintains a close focus on upcoming elections in Serbia, repeatedly warning of possible color revolution scenarios to prevent regional shifts in influence. Long-term governance questions also persist regarding President Vladimir Putin, 73, who has established no formal succession plan.

Sources: Avaz, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti