The Ministry of Defense and the Kremlin are belatedly implementing large-scale military reforms and have begun to perceive the war in Ukraine as protracted and large-scale.. But Putin continues to adhere to a model of low-key decision-making, the Institute for the Study of War says..

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“In January, the ISW assessed that the Kremlin is belatedly mobilizing personnel, reorganizing and industrial actions that it really needs to take before the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.. However, Putin is apparently reservedly announcing a second wave of mobilization.. At the same time, representatives of the United States and the West note that he is again inclined to conduct a “quiet mobilization” due to concern about the extreme unpopularity of the first wave of mobilization..

In addition, Putin is reportedly conducting a survey to gauge Russian perceptions of the mobilization and has not decided when to proceed with further mobilization despite Defense Minister Shoigu announcing sweeping reforms to increase the size of the Russian Armed Forces on January 17..

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ISW has also observed conflicting reports from Russian State Duma officials and Kremlin officials regarding changes to mobilization and conscription protocols, which may indicate that Putin ordered these provisions to be drafted but is unwilling to announce them to the public..