Russia's Yabloko Party Faces Supreme Court Bid to Bar It from September Elections

Russia’s nationalist party Vlast, led by State Duma deputy Alexei Zhuravlev, has filed a petition with the Russian Supreme Court seeking to exclude the opposition Yabloko party from the September 18‑20 State Duma elections. The filing alleges a range of violations, including illegal advertising on banned social‑media platforms, non‑transparent campaign financing, alleged extremist statements and copyright infringements. The Supreme Court confirmed receipt of the petition and is set to consider the case on Monday.

Yabloko, the only officially registered opposition party that opposes the war in Ukraine and calls for an immediate cease‑fire, was registered by the Central Election Commission on July 29. Party leader Nikolai Rybakov and other officials have denied any foreign funding or ties to groups deemed undesirable by Russian authorities. Julia Navalny, widow of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, urged voters to support Yabloko as a moral and political choice. Several exiled Russian opposition figures have also called for backing the party, while some domestic opposition leaders have distanced themselves from the campaign.

The outcome of the court’s decision could determine whether Yabloko remains on the ballot, affecting the limited space for anti‑war voices in Russia’s parliamentary race.