Russian authorities step up pre-election crackdown as internal anxieties grow

Russian authorities have intensified measures against political dissent ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections, banning the anti-war party Yabloko and sentencing senior figure Lev Schlosberg to 11 years in prison. The decision follows heightened public concern over potential military conscription after the vote, prompting some citizens to sell property and plan departures despite Kremlin denials.

The internal pressure coincides with the late-summer "Black August" period, historically marked by domestic instability, alongside broader questions regarding succession plans for 73-year-old President Vladimir Putin. Beyond its borders, Moscow is maintaining a close watch on election dynamics in Serbia, frequently warning of potential "color revolutions" to protect its strategic presence in the Balkans.

Sources: Avaz, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti