руководить закулисно(ORD. 1) to work as stage manager for (a play, etc.) 2) (tr) to arrange, present, or supervise from behind the scenes to stage-manage a campaign. CED Alexander Demidov)
отправная точка(These camps are the staging ground for Russian military equipment transported into Ukraine, soon to join the separatist arsenal, and for Russian soldiers mobilized across Russia to cross into Ukraine. 4uzhoj)
перевалочный пункт(a place where troops or equipment in transit are assembled or processed \\ These camps are the staging ground for Russian military equipment transported into Ukraine, soon to join the separatist arsenal, and for Russian soldiers mobilized across Russia to cross into Ukraine. 4uzhoj)