President Vladimir Putin appears to be setting the stage for renewed limited recruitment of reservists, amid challenges in replenishing military losses in Ukraine through existing force generation mechanisms. This assessment comes from the latest report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), highlighting the difficulties the Russian military faces in sustaining its operations. As the conflict progresses, the Russian leadership is increasingly aware of the need to balance military requirements with domestic political considerations.

Putin's strategy reflects a delicate balancing act, as he seeks to avoid unrest in Russian society stemming from a large-scale partial mobilization. The previous partial mobilization of 300,000 reservists in September 2022 elicited significant backlash and contributed to the exodus of approximately 700,000 to 900,000 Russians. Consequently, the Kremlin is under pressure to produce stable troop numbers to send to Ukraine without triggering widespread public dissent or discouragement among military personnel.

Furthermore, with ongoing losses in the conflict, Putin must ensure a minimum rate of replenishment of troops engaged in Ukraine. This situation presents not only military challenges but also potential political ramifications, as the leadership must navigate public opinion while maintaining military effectiveness. The current dynamics suggest that while Russia's military continues to face significant operational strains, the government is still exploring ways to reinforce its capabilities without inciting further domestic discontent or opposition to the war effort.