# Russia-Ukraine conflict and regional destabilization

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/russia-ukraine-conflict-and-regional-destabilization
> Updated: 2026-08-14T12:06:38.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

Russia has transitioned toward a long-term military strategy in Ukraine, treating the conflict as a sustained operation. President Vladimir Putin has indicated that military expenditures will remain a federal budget priority through at least 2029. Moscow’s stated conditions for peace include the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, the recognition of those regions and Crimea as Russian territory, and Ukraine’s abandonment of NATO membership.

In response to the ongoing conflict, some European officials have called for stricter Schengen visa issuance for Russian citizens. 

Parallel to the military operations in Ukraine, reports indicate a broader strategic campaign aimed at destabilizing NATO and the European Union. This strategy reportedly includes cyberattacks, sabotage, and efforts to establish political control over Moldova. Intelligence assessments suggest Russia may seek to seize southern Ukraine to create a land corridor to the breakaway region of Transnistria. Evidence of hybrid warfare has been identified, including GRU-organized training for organizing riots and a large-scale vote-buying operation in Moldova allegedly linked to Russian officials.

## Claims

- Vladimir Putin ordered intelligence services and military forces to work toward destroying NATO and the EU from within by 2026. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Putin announced these strategic plans during a closed-door meeting with the Russian military command in December 2025. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Russia's top priorities are the conquest of Ukraine and establishing political control over Moldova. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The GRU organized training for young Moldovans in Serbia, Bosnia, and near Moscow to learn how to organize riots and use explosives. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- A large-scale vote-buying system is being operated by businessman Ilan Șor under the control of Russian official Sergey Kiriyenko. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Nearly 20 million dollars were paid to activists prior to the 2024 referendum. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Russian hackers breached the systems of Moldova's Central Electoral Commission. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Kremlin has rejected accusations of destabilizing Moldova, calling them ‘untrue claims’. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-14: Putin orders strategy to destabilize NATO and EU by 2026

Vladimir Putin has reportedly ordered a strategy to destabilize NATO and the EU by 2026, with Moldova identified as a key target for Russian political control and hybrid warfare operations.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/putin-orders-strategy-to-undermine-nato-and-eu-from-within

### 2026-08-08: Russia adopts long-term strategy for war in Ukraine

Russia is preparing for a long-term military operation in Ukraine, with Putin prioritizing defense spending through 2029. Meanwhile, European officials, including Czech Minister Petr Macinka, support stricterly

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-adopts-long-term-strategy-for-war-in-ukraine

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Cite as: Russia-Ukraine conflict and regional destabilization. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/russia-ukraine-conflict-and-regional-destabilization