Kremlin avoids open repression, fearing for Putin's regime stability — ISW

This is stated by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

It is noted that Russian ultra-nationalists continue to advocate the Kremlin’s return to Stalinist repressions. However, the Kremlin continues to avoid open repression, likely out of concern for the stability of Putin's regime.

The Russian government withdrew a bill from the Russian State Duma that would have increased taxes from 13 to 30 percent for Russians who have fled the country.

"Russian ultranationalists have repeatedly called on the Kremlin to nationalize property belonging to Russians who had “betrayed” the country by fleeing, but the Kremlin appears to remain hesitant to introduce such unpopular measures," the Institute's report said.

Also, some Russian sources report that Putin does not support the return of the death penalty in Russia.

Experts stress that the Kremlin could use the threat of the death penalty to scare Russians into supporting military action, but Putin likely "remains hesitant to destroy his image as a diplomatic and tolerant tsar."

Moreover, Putin relies on control of the information space to protect his regime far more than on a massive repression apparatus of the Soviet Union.

ISW adds that, according to high-ranking US and EU officials, Russian President Vladimir Putin will continue to be unwilling to negotiate in response to Ukraine's successful counteroffensive.

• Earlier, American analysts emphasized that the Russian military leadership plans to capture Bakhmut before the start of the Ukrainian counteroffensive.