Russian authorities are heightening control ahead of legislative elections planned for autumn.
Opposition politician Boris Nadejdine, a isolated detractor of the Ukraine war, has been barred from running after authorities accused him of supporting foreign agents.
several arrests have ensued while opponents are tagged “foreign agents”.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s 40-day incursion across Russia’s border has sparked clashes that resulted in eight fatalities each side.
In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed continued help for Ukraine during the final official tour as prime minister.
Polish police sued a teenager with suspected sabotage linked to Russia.
Western analysts demand tougher policies to weaken Moscow’s war economy.