Ukraine's intel chief outlines Russia's main objectives for 2026
Photo: Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov, in an interview with Suspilne, outlined Russia's main objectives for 2026, stating that Moscow intends to fully seize control of Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia region.
Budanov said Kremlin goals are clearly defined in Russian military planning. The list includes:
- Full control over the Donetsk region;
- Maximum advance into the Dnipropetrovsk region;
- Continued offensive operations in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions;
- Expansion of "sanitary" (buffer) zones along the border.
"These are their main objectives. Essentially, the goal for 2026 is Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia region," Budanov summarized.
US peace plan and Russia's demands
In November, the United States introduced a new plan to end the war in Ukraine. The original document was openly favorable to Russia, as it initially required multiple concessions from Ukraine, including territorial ones.
For this reason, Ukraine, the US, and Europe spent a month finalizing the plan to make it more acceptable to Kyiv. The peace plan was reduced from 28 points to 20, and on Wednesday, December 24, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented it in full.
Most points have been agreed upon, but the issue of territories remains the most contentious. Russia continues to demand the withdrawal of Ukrainian Armed Forces from Donbas, which Kyiv rejects.
On December 28, Zelenskyy will meet with US President Donald Trump at his Florida residence to discuss the peace plan.
During a press briefing, Zelenskyy said he will raise the issue of territories during the talks, including Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas previously warned that if Russia gains control of Donbas as part of a peace deal, it will then certainly continue to seize all of Ukraine.
