The Pentagon has announced that it will be allowing a limited number of private American defense contractors to work inside Ukraine to assist in the repair and maintenance of equipment, according to U.S. officials. These contractors will not be involved in combat and will be stationed far from the front lines during Russia's invasion.
Over the past two years, Ukraine has received significant support in the form of billions of dollars worth of American weapons and equipment, including advanced systems. During this time, U.S. and allied troops have been providing maintenance advice to Ukrainian forces in real-time through encrypted chatrooms using phones and tablets.
The decision to allow private contractors to work in Ukraine comes as certain equipment, such as F-16 fighter jets and air defense systems, requires specialized technical expertise for repair. By utilizing these contractors, officials believe that the weapons can be fixed promptly, enabling Ukrainian forces to continue using them effectively in combat.
This move marks an expansion of the presence of U.S. government contractors in Ukraine. The State Department has already engaged U.S. companies to work within the country, particularly on the energy grid. Additionally, several American companies have personnel in Ukraine under contracts with the Kyiv government.
Officials have emphasized that the safety of the contractors will be the responsibility of the companies employing them. The Pentagon is currently in the process of soliciting bids for the contractors, who will play a crucial role in ensuring the operational readiness of key military equipment in Ukraine.
