Biden mulls allowing US military contractors to deploy to Ukraine: CNN
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The move allegedly aims to expedite maintenance and repairs of weapons systems by lifting current restrictions.
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Ukrainian soldiers, of the 43rd artillery brigade, fire by 2s7 self-propelled howitzer towards Russian positions at the frontline in Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, June 24, 2024 (AP)
CNN reported on Tuesday that the Biden administration is contemplating a significant policy shift: allowing US military "contractors" to be deployed to Ukraine.
This move aims to expedite maintenance and repairs of weapons systems by lifting current restrictions, according to four US officials familiar with the discussions.
The administration has not yet reached a final decision on this potential change, noting that President Joe Biden remains "committed in his stance against deploying US troops to Ukraine", as reiterated by one official.
If implemented, companies seeking contracts in Ukraine would need to devise robust risk mitigation strategies, the CNN report noted.
It is estimated that lifting the ban could see anywhere from a few dozen to several hundred contractors operating in the country.
Read more: Canada, UK, France, Germany, US have mercenaries fighting in Ukraine
Several reports released since the beginning of the Ukraine-Russian conflict have shown that Kiev's Western allies have mercenaries fighting in Ukraine.
In mid-March, the Russian Defense Ministry announced more than 13,387 foreign mercenaries arrived in Ukraine to participate in hostilities against Russia.
Within that timeframe, 5,962 militants were eliminated, according to the ministry. Poland was identified as the leading contributor in terms of the number of slain mercenaries, with 2,960 individuals arriving from there, out of which 1,497 were killed.
Following Poland, Georgia saw 561 casualties out of 1,042 mercenaries, while arrivals from the United States suffered 491 losses out of 1,113 individuals.
Additionally, 422 out of 1,005 Canadian mercenaries, 360 out of 822 British mercenaries, and 349 out of 784 Romanian mercenaries were also killed. Germany contributed 235 mercenaries, with 88 of them perishing.
Read more: 14 mercenaries killed, 8 injured in Russian strike: Source
According to US Defense Department documents leaked in March 2023, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby refused to verify the number but validated “a small US military presence” there.
A recent New York Times report based on interviews with more than 200 current and former officials showed that there were “scores”, at least more than 40, of CIA officers in Ukraine.
In a transcript of a February 19 conversation between senior German Air Force officials, one official stated, “It's known that there are numerous people there in civilian attire who speak with an American accent.”
It further exposed that there are UK personnel on the ground. One official, amid discussions on how German Taurus long-range missiles could function in Ukraine, revealed that the Germans “know how the English do it. . .. They have several people on-site."
The British prime minister’s office has verified that the UK has soldiers on the ground saying "Beyond the small number of personnel we do have in the country supporting the armed forces of Ukraine, we haven't got any plans for large-scale deployment."
Russia, since 2022, has repeatedly warned the US and its Western allies, including France, against partaking in the war, emphasizing that it will defend itself in any way possible. It also stressed that the West and NATO have been playing a direct role by continuously aiding Ukraine with advanced weapons and military equipment.
