Russian regional elections.
The Kremlin secured wins for all 17 preferred candidates for regional governorships in the September 8 elections with no need for the second rounds seen last year. Defeat in Khabarovsk and reverses in Moscow signal a deepening crisis for the United Russia party and the limits to the tactic of promoting 'independent but pro-Kremlin candidates' to mitigate the party's low popularity.
The first post-election protest is in Ulan-Ude, where demonstrators want a re-run after a United Russia candidate became city mayor.
Constitutional amendments that could engineer a new role for Putin after 2024 may spark further protests.
Waning public support for an aggressive foreign policy creates incentives to reduce Russia's international isolation.
