Russia tightens control ahead of elections amid succession questions and mobilization fears

Russian authorities have intensified political restrictions ahead of September parliamentary elections, outlawing Yabloko, the country's sole legal anti-war opposition party, and handing an 11-year prison sentence to politician Lev Schlosberg. Meanwhile, public anxieties regarding a potential military draft following the vote have driven some residents to liquidate property and plan exits from the country.

These developments occur alongside heightened discussions regarding Russia's historical late-summer political instability, known as "Black August," and growing questions over leadership succession for 73-year-old President Vladimir Putin. Beyond its borders, Moscow is active in Balkan politics, issuing warnings about potential Western-backed "color revolutions" ahead of Serbian elections to preserve regional influence.

Sources: Avaz, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti