Moscow tightens political control ahead of autumn parliamentary vote

Russian authorities are intensifying political restrictions and monitoring regional developments ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections. Domestic pressure has escalated following the banning of Yabloko, the country's last legal anti-war opposition party, alongside an 11-year prison sentence handed to politician Lev Schlossberg.

Public concern is simultaneously mounting over potential military mobilization after the September vote, prompting some citizens to sell assets and prepare to leave the country despite official denials. Observers link these anxieties to Russia's recurring late-summer political and economic instability, historically termed "Black August."

Beyond immediate electoral preparations, analysts highlight long-term governance uncertainty surrounding succession plans for 73-year-old President Vladimir Putin. Abroad, Moscow remains attentive to upcoming elections in Serbia, frequently warning against alleged Western-backed "color revolutions" to safeguard its influence in the Balkans.

Sources: Avaz, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti