Moscow sharpens domestic controls and Balkan warnings ahead of elections

Russian authorities have intensified political restrictions ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections by banning Yabloko, the nation's final official anti-war political party, and sentencing opposition figure Lev Schlosberg to 11 years in prison. Concurrently, public anxiety over potential military conscription following heavy battlefield losses in Ukraine has prompted some citizens to sell property and plan departures.

Analysts note these developments coincide with recurring late-summer political volatility, often termed "Black August," alongside questions regarding succession plans for 73-year-old President Vladimir Putin. Beyond domestic borders, Moscow has repeatedly warned of potential Western-backed "color revolutions" ahead of Serbia's parliamentary vote to preserve its Balkan influence.

Sources: Avaz, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti