러시아 대법원, 유일한 반전 정당 '야블로코' 9월 총선 출마 금지…푸틴에 '전쟁 종식' 요구 거세져

On August 10, 2026, Russia's Supreme Court barred Yabloko — the only registered anti-war party — from the September State Duma elections, sparking condemnation from the party leader, fresh evidence of rising anti-war sentiment among Russians, and sharp international criticism from the UN and the European Commission.

The court's ruling and grounds

• The Supreme Court annulled the registration of Yabloko's federal candidate slate on August 10, 2026, after a hastily called hearing . It granted a lawsuit filed by the small pro-Kremlin nationalist party Rodina (Motherland) .
• The court cited several alleged violations: receiving undeclared foreign funding, breaching campaign finance rules, copyright infringement in campaign materials, and extremism-related infractions . The hearing lasted approximately seven hours .
• The ruling overturned an earlier Central Election Commission decision that had allowed Yabloko to run . With Yabloko removed, voters opposed to the war in Ukraine lost their only registered ballot option .

Party leader's vow to fight the decision

• Yabloko chairman Nikolai Rybakov said the party would appeal the ruling within the five-day deadline and do everything possible to participate in the election . He vowed to remain in Russia and keep pushing for change despite increased pressure from the authorities .
• Rybakov has stated he will not leave the country, insisting the party will continue its political work even after the ban . Around a hundred supporters gathered outside the courthouse chanting "Shame!" .
• Party founder Grigory Yavlinsky also condemned the decision, saying Yabloko would appeal .

Evidence of growing anti-war sentiment among Russians

• 81% of Russians support ending the war "as early as tomorrow" — the highest share recorded since the full-scale invasion began, according to a June 2026 study by the Kyiv-based Institute for the Study of Contemporary Russia (IKAR) .
• Half of Russians no longer consider the invasion "successful" — a first since the war began, with Ukraine's long-range strikes, a domestic fuel crisis, and rumors of fall mobilization eroding public support .
• Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) dropped to 94 points in June 2026 — the lowest level recorded, as Russians grow increasingly depressed about national finances, per Levada Centre data .
• Yabloko was gaining traction among youth, using the election to appeal to young Russians frustrated by the Ukraine conflict and internet restrictions, according to reports just days before the ban .
• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated in early August that Ukraine has data from internal Russian polls showing a growing number of Russians who want the war to end .

International response: UN and European Commission

• United Nations: The UN Human Rights office posted on X on August 12 that it was "deeply concerned" about the barring of Yabloko and called on Russian authorities to overturn the ban .
• European Commission: EC spokesperson Anitta Hipper said at the August 11 midday press briefing that the decision is "further evidence of Russia's actions against fundamental freedoms and the continued crackdown on political opposition and civil society in Russia" . The Commission described the ban as expected and yet another sign of Russia's deteriorating democratic space .