Zelenskyy ally Serhiy Hryvko introduced a bill in parliament that would expand the use of private military contractors in the war-torn country, both now and later.
The legislation primarily targets the post-war period, aiming to address challenges associated with demobilization, including concerns about unregistered weapons, unemployment, and security risks. It proposes PMCs as potential employers for veterans, offering a path for their reintegration into civilian life while bolstering Ukraine’s security infrastructure.
The draft outlines a framework for establishing and operating PMCs in Ukraine, including licensing procedures, definition of legal status, and management structures. The law’s author notes that it draws inspiration from the experience of private military companies in countries like the United States.
The Ukraine: What’s Goin’ On
It makes sense for Ukrainian officials to look ahead to the end of the war, even though fighting is still intense. The United States has learned from bitter experiences in Vietnam and elsewhere that winning the peace is at least as important as winning the war.
Russia’s “special military operation” began in February 2022. At first, it looked like the Russians might run roughshod over the undermanned Ukrainians. But the initial offensive stalled. Russia faced international isolation that hurt its economy while global economic, military, and humanitarian aid poured into Ukraine.
Bolstered by this assistance, the Ukrainians fought back. Eighteen months after the full-scale invasion, the Russians had been pushed to the extreme east of Ukraine, which is dominated by ethnic Russians. The Ukrainians briefly took the fight to Russia with a successful operation against Kursk.
At this point, it seems clear that the Ukrainians cannot dislodge the Russians, who cannot hold territory west of the Dnieper River, especially since they lost the strategic city of Kherson in November 2023. Overall, Russians are tired of pouring money into the conflict, and Ukrainians are tired of seeing bombs drop on their homes and businesses.
The situation is ripe for a ceasefire, but permanent peace is needed. Russia and Ukraine must learn to get along. If they do not, the next Russo-Ukrainian war is probably just a few months away. The two countries have repeatedly crossed swords since the Soviet Union absorbed Ukraine in 1917.
Caring for “him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan,” to quote Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, is an important component of permanent peace. More on that below.
Combat PMCs
Private military contractors are part of the aforementioned military aid. Unlike surplus or out-of-date weapons and equipment that foreign countries donate, contractors are not free. Also, unlike these items from the church donation bin, private military contractors are cutting-edge soldiers who shorten wars and help guarantee favorable outcomes.
Unlike mercenaries, private military contractors don’t actively participate in offensive military operations. But they support these operations in several ways:
- Intelligence Gathering: Contractors develop relationships with locals who provide information that helps commanders select and prioritize military targets, thus using limited resources more efficiently.
- Combat Support: If contractors watch their six, regular servicemembers can commit more resources to the fight. They also fight more aggressively and confidently since they know the people behind them aren’t pogues.
- Holding Down the Fort: Many times, military assets are divided in three ways. Some elements attack, some elements defend, and some elements stay behind to guard the rear area. Contractors handle these latter two chores.
As mentioned, private military contractors are not free. In fact, they usually earn more money than regular servicemembers who do roughly the same job.
However, when contractor deployments end, the government’s financial commitment ends. So, private military contractors are much cheaper in the long run. Additionally, private military contractors are less costly politically. Their deployment figures usually don’t count in official troop tally numbers, making the military commitment more palatable back home.
Non-Combat PMCs
Usually, when combat contractors leave, non-combat contractors replace them. These individuals help governments win the peace, as outlined above.
- Construction: The Russo-Ukrainian war has created about eight million refugees. These people probably will not return until basic capital services, like roads and electrical power, are fully restored.
- Security: Furthermore, most refugees won’t come home if they do not feel safe. Additionally, security contractors guard the aforementioned construction projects, keeping these projects on schedule.
- Training: Troop instruction combines construction and security. Contractors train troops so governments can defend themselves and make their people feel more secure. These environments discourage insurgencies.
These contractors are also cost-efficient. They come in with a plan, they do their jobs, and they go home. That is much less work than a government must do.
Injury Compensation Available
For both combat and non-combat contractors, falls and vehicle collisions are the most common deployment-related injuries.
These injuries could be combat-related. Usually, however, these injuries occur during “down time.” Most former soldiers agree that army life is about 90% sheer boredom and 10% sheer terror. Car crashes and falls usually cause head injuries and other wounds that are permanent, at least to some extent.
Also for both combat and non-combat contractors, toxic exposure and hearing loss may be the most common occupational diseases.
Millions of people who served in the Global War on Terror in Southwest Asia were exposed to toxic burn pit smoke. As every kind of refuse, from Styrofoam cups to medical waste, burned in a raging inferno, the toxic smoke blanketed the area. Many combat locations, like airbases, are noisy enough to cause permanent hearing loss.
Briefly, a Defense Base Act lawyer can obtain significant compensation for these victims. This compensation usually includes lost wage replacement and medical bill payment.
As mentioned, private military contractors are highly compensated individuals. Therefore, when they’re unable to work, their lost wages are significant. Usually, the Defense Base Act replaces two-thirds of lost wages for the duration of a temporary or permanent disability.
Medical bill reimbursement is available if the expense is reasonably necessary. Frequently, insurance adjusters believe that “reasonably necessary” means “cheapest available.” But to a Defense Base Act lawyer and to the court that supervises these claims, this phrase means “must have.” Additionally, this benefit pays for likely future medical expenses.
For more information about the DBA process, contact Barnett, Lerner, Karsen, Frankel & Castro, P.A.