In Moscow's Shadows 164: From Ballots to Babies, a quick news round-up

This week features a whirlwind of topics, from drones buzzing over Moscow to the ripple effects of U.S. presidential debates on Russian politics. Recent regional elections reveal a surprising dip in pro-Kremlin support, sparking discussion about public sentiment and ballot spoiling as protest. Demographic challenges are under the microscope, highlighting initiatives aimed at boosting birth rates amid contrasting personal choices of political figures. The landscape is further complicated by political extremism, with loyalty battles shifting priorities among parliamentarians.