The Biden administration has authorized American military contractors to operate in Ukraine for the first time since Russia’s 2022 invasion, CNN reports, citing an official.
The move marks a significant change from the previous requirement that damaged US equipment be transported to NATO countries for repairs. The US troops have been limited to providing maintenance support remotely via video chat or secure phone calls.
The policy shift, approved this month, allows the Pentagon to contract US companies to maintain and repair American-supplied weapons systems within Ukraine, particularly F-16 fighter jets and Patriot air defense systems.
“DoD is soliciting bids for a small number of contractors who will help Ukraine maintain the assistance we’ve already provided,” a defense official told CNN.
The contractors will reportedly be located far from the front lines and they will not be fighting Russian forces.
The scope of the contractor’s presence will be limited. At any time, the deployment could range from “a few dozen to a couple hundred contractors.”
“The Department made this decision after careful risk assessment and coordination with interagency stakeholders,” the official said.
He added that American companies already have personnel in Ukraine working under contracts with the Ukrainian government.
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