In a strategic move to bolster its military presence in Ukraine, Russia is reportedly laying the groundwork for a limited, staggered call-up of reservists. This decision appears to be a response to the significant losses sustained in the ongoing conflict.
Recent actions by the Russian government indicate preparations for this mobilization. On February 18, the State Duma passed a bill in its first reading aimed at enhancing preventive measures against evasion of military service. This legislation may empower authorities to penalize individuals who criticize the call-up of reservists.
Additionally, the Russian government has imposed restrictions on the messaging platform Telegram, which analysts suggest could be an attempt to stifle dissent regarding military policies.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has noted that President Vladimir Putin seeks to normalize a limited call-up of reservists to maintain troop levels without resorting to a full mobilization, as was seen in 2022, which led to an exodus of approximately 900,000 Russians.
This limited call-up is intended to address troop casualties on the front lines rather than significantly augment the existing military forces. Analysts have observed that the Kremlin is establishing conditions for a phased conscription of reservists, potentially beginning in October 2025. This follows a government decision that allows the deployment of reservists on expeditions outside Russia without formally declaring mobilization or martial law.
In November, Putin signed a decree permitting military recruitment offices to conduct enlistment processes year-round. Subsequently, in December, he approved a directive for mandatory enlistment of reservists for military training in 2026, likely aimed at quietly mobilizing strategic reserves.
Experts suggest that the Kremlin is preparing for a forced call-up of a limited number of reservists from a position of weakness, as the voluntary recruitment system has nearly exhausted itself by 2026.
Putin continues to navigate a delicate balance between military needs and public sentiment, aiming to prevent widespread discontent that could arise from a large-scale mobilization while maintaining the momentum of Russian offensives and preserving the civilian workforce as well as the defense industrial complex.
The preparation for a limited call-up further underscores the challenges facing Russia in recruiting volunteers for combat in Ukraine. The high human, economic, and social costs of the war are forcing the Kremlin into difficult decisions.
According to ISW, the Kremlin’s efforts to ready Russian society for a partial call-up of reservists suggest that, as of February 2026, four years into the conflict, Putin is confronted with tough choices. There is speculation that the Kremlin may be exerting pressure on Ukraine to concede to longstanding Russian demands during peace negotiations to achieve military objectives without incurring uncomfortable sacrifices.
Russia's government is preparing for a limited call-up of reservists as a response to ongoing military losses in Ukraine. This strategy aims to maintain troop levels without triggering widespread public unrest associated with full mobilization.