Russian crackdown intensifies ahead of elections as draft fears and NATO warnings grow

Russian authorities have intensified domestic controls ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections by banning the anti-war Yabloko party and sentencing politician Lev Shlosberg to 11 years in prison. The measures coincide with the traditional "Black August" period, historically marked by late-summer political and economic instability.

Public anxiety is rising regarding a potential post-election military draft, prompting some citizens to liquidate assets and flee the country following substantial battlefield casualties in Ukraine. Concurrently, questions persist over long-term stability, as 73-year-old President Vladimir Putin has outlined no clear succession strategy. Externally, Western intelligence assessments suggest Moscow may attempt to test NATO cohesion in the coming years using hybrid tactics, cyberattacks, or limited military incursions.

Sources: Avaz, Danas, Index, Klix, Vijesti