Putin unwilling to negotiate peace as some Russians want more internal repression

 ISW:

Senior US and EU officials assess that Russian President Vladimir Putin would remain unwilling to negotiate in response to a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive. The New York Times (NYT) reported on April 24 that a senior European official stated that the chances of Putin “backing down” in response to a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive are “less than zero.”[1] The official stated that Putin would likely mobilize more soldiers to fight in Ukraine. US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander said that there is “very little evidence” to suggest that Putin would alter his strategic goal of subjugating Ukraine “politically, if not fully militarily.” US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby told Voice of America on April 25 that the US is increasing security assistance to Ukraine because the US expects that Russia will attempt to go on the offensive as the weather improves.[2]
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Russian ultranationalists are continuing to advocate for the Kremlin to adopt Stalinist repression measures. Russian State Duma Parliamentarian Andrey Gurulyov – a prominent Russian ultranationalist figure within the ruling United Russia Party – stated that Russia needs to reintroduce the concept of the “enemy of the people.”[10] This concept designated all the late Soviet leader Joseph Stalin’s opposition figures as the enemies of society. Gurulyov frequently shares extreme opinions on Russian state television but the rhetoric among the ultranationalists is increasingly emphasizing the need for the targeting and elimination of Russia’s internal enemies. Former Russian officer Igor Girkin and Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin often echo similar calls to prosecute Russian officials who are hoping to end the war via negotiations with the West. Such attitudes indicate that the ultranationalist communities are expecting Russian President Vladimir Putin to expand repression and fully commit to the war.

The Kremlin continues to avoid adopting overtly repressive measures 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.[11] 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. Unnamed sources told Russian independent outlet Verska that the Russian presidential administration does not support the return of capital punishments in Russia – another issue that recently reemerged in Russian policy discussions.[12] The Kremlin could use the threat of the death penalty to scare Russians into supporting the war effort (or remaining passively resistant to it), but Putin likely remains hesitant to destroy his image as a diplomatic and tolerant tsar. ISW previously assessed that Putin relies on controlling the information space to safeguard his regime much more than the kind of massive oppression apparatus of the Soviet Union and that Putin has never rebuilt an internal repression apparatus equivalent to the KGB, Interior Ministry forces, and the Red Army.[13]
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It would be out of character for Putin to take any step to admit he made a significant mistake by launching his war against Ukraine. It is also pretty clear that the ultranationalists that support Putin's war would reject such efforts at this point.  There is some evidence of internal repression within Russia and support for increased repression especially as Russian troops continue to fail.  The Russian leadership does show a willingness for increased repression against any anti-war movement. In doing so they tend to tie Putin's hands and those of his supporters.

See, also:

Russia warns again that risks of nuclear confrontation with US growing - TASS

Risks of a direct military confrontation between the two nuclear powers, Russia and the United States, are steadily growing, the TASS news agency quoted a senior Russian diplomat as saying on Tuesday.

Vladimir Yermakov, the foreign ministry's head of nuclear non-proliferation, told the Russian state news agency that Washington is escalating the risks through its conduct with Moscow.

Since the start of its invasion on Ukraine 14 months ago, Moscow has issued regular charges against the U.S. and what it calls "the collective West" for raising the risks of a nuclear war, rhetoric intended to deter Kyiv's allies.

"If the United States continues to follow its current course of confrontation with Russia, with the stakes constantly escalating on the verge of sliding into direct armed conflict, then the fate of START (nuclear arms treaty) may be a foregone conclusion," Yermakov said.
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Talk of going nuclear to support the failed operation in Ukraine makes little sense, but it does suggest desperation on the part of some Russians.  Those who have bought the narrative that Ukraine is a part of Russia are the ones most likely to support such measures.

And:

Ukraine to start counteroffensive in May – NYT 

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"Ukraine is preparing to launch a counteroffensive against Russian forces as early as next month, American officials say, in the face of immense risks: Without a decisive victory, Western support for Ukraine could weaken, and Kyiv could come under increasing pressure to enter serious negotiations to end or freeze the conflict."

Details: It is stated in the article that American and NATO allies have supplied Ukraine with extensive artillery and ammunition for the upcoming battle, and officials now say they are hopeful the supplies will last.
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And:

 Drop in approval of Russia’s leadership widespread: Gallup

Global approval of Russia’s leadership saw a significant dip in 2022, following the country’s invasion of Ukraine, according to a new Gallup poll.

The poll found that a median of 21 percent of respondents from 137 countries said they approve of Russia’s leadership, while 57 percent said they disapprove.
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And:

 Britain will consign Putin and his energy war to the dustbin of history

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What the Just Stop Oil activists and other agitators who threaten to disrupt this country fail to grasp is that this generation-defining switch to cleaner and cheaper energy isn’t something that can happen overnight. It is a marathon, not a sprint.

The eco-zealots who want to turn off the North Sea supply of oil and gas, sending energy bills soaring and weakening our country’s energy independence, never seem to fathom this point.

Indeed, they seem intent on helping Putin’s use of energy as a weapon of war against the West.
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And:

 Russians use smartphone app that contains coordinates of Ukrainian positions

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"Commanders of assault groups use smartphones with special software, Alpine Quest GPS, which shows the coordinates of the positions of our fire equipment, the objects of attack, the routes of advancing to them, as well as the tasks of neighbouring units."

Details: According to him, in each Russian brigade, on the basis of motorised rifle companies, reinforced by tanks, flamethrower, mortar and anti-tank units, separate Storm assault units were formed, designed to restore lost positions.

Thus, the occupiers actively use tank and artillery units, inflict powerful fire damage on Ukrainian troops, destroy positions, after which the assault units go on the attack.

During assault operations, the occupiers must use UAVs, thanks to which they adjust the artillery fire, and the group commander has the opportunity to effectively manage personnel.
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And:

 Russia's new T-14 Armata battle tank debuts in Ukraine - RIA

Russia has begun using its new T-14 Armata battle tanks to fire on Ukrainian positions "but they have not yet participated in direct assault operations," the RIA state news agency reported on Tuesday, quoting a source close the matter.

RIA said that the tanks have been fitted with extra protection on their flanks and crews have undergone "combat coordination" at training grounds in Ukraine.

The T-14 tank has an unmanned turret, with crew remotely controlling the armaments from "an isolated armoured capsule located in the front of the hull."
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And:

 Exclusive: House lawmakers to introduce resolution for bold Ukraine victory terms