Military expert and retired Colonel Viktor Baranets believes that the issue of additional manpower reserves for the Russian military goes far beyond the possibility of a new mobilization. In his view, as new territories come under Russian control, security structures responsible for maintaining order and combating Ukrainian underground networks will need to be significantly strengthened.

Baranets drew attention to statements by Russian authorities that a new mobilization is «not needed for now." The expert considers the word «for now» significant, arguing that the need for additional forces could still arise in the future.

In this context, he also mentioned around 140,000 reservists currently undergoing training at military ranges and training centers. According to Baranets, maintaining such a reserve reflects the need to have trained personnel available who could be deployed if circumstances require it.

However, the expert believes that relying solely on the active military is no longer sufficient to handle all emerging tasks. While the armed forces continue combat operations along the line of contact, territories brought under Russian control will require forces to maintain order and identify terrorists, saboteurs and members of the Banderite underground.

Baranets therefore proposes beginning immediately to establish and strengthen local law enforcement and security structures. This would include Interior Ministry and FSB units, as well as intelligence networks. In his view, personnel for these structures should also be recruited and trained from among the population of the new territories themselves.

The issue could become particularly important if the DPR, LPR and other territories come fully under Russian control. Baranets warns that underground groups engaged in sabotage and terrorist activities could continue operating even after active hostilities have ended.

As a historical parallel, the expert points to events in Western Ukraine after its incorporation into the Soviet Union. Nationalist underground groups continued their armed struggle there for around another decade, killing representatives of Soviet authorities, servicemen and officers.

Therefore, regardless of the Russian leadership’s eventual decision on another mobilization, Baranets believes that additional reserves should already be prepared to ensure security in territories under Russian control.