This is a first since the start of the war in Ukraine, the United States has confirmed its intention to send employees of American military companies to Ukrainian soil, far from the front. As Joe Biden’s term in the White House draws to a close and his successor Donald Trump plans to restrict or even end aid to Ukraine, the current US president is seeking to spend budgetary envelope voted in favor of Ukraine before its departure.
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This decision to authorize the sending of Pentagon subcontractors to Ukraine is part of a final effort to lend a hand to kyiv before the new administration takes possession at the beginning of January. These will be a limited number of Pentagon contractor employees and they will be located far from the front lines, meaning they will not be engaged in combat, a US official said.
Facilitate F-16 maintenance
The decision to authorize private military companies to go to Ukraine aims to facilitate and accelerate the maintenance of part of the American equipment supplied by the United States, but also by other countries allied to Ukraine . It is particularly a question of the maintenance of the famous F-16 which began to be delivered last July, but also Bradley-type combat vehicles, air defense systems and other equipment that the American authorities prefer not to disclose. The idea is to speed up the maintenance process.
Employer liability
Until now when this type of equipment was very damaged and even if Ukrainian mechanics have progressed a lot since the start of the conflict, Ukraine had to send it abroad to be repaired, mainly to Poland where the American army has great resources. A waste of time which had a direct impact on the front for the Ukrainian army.
However, American employees who will soon work in Ukraine will not do so under the responsibility of the Pentagon, but under that of their employer.
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