Draft law on private military companies given green light by Ukraine’s defense ministry

Source: Ukraine’s government website

On Monday, Ukraine’s defense ministry has thrown its weight behind a proposed bill to regulate private military companies. The draft law, revealed on the government’s website, aims to establish clear guidelines for what it calls ‘international defense companies” that provide defense services abroad. The policy though got some ‘remarks’ from the Ukrainian military chiefs.

The proposed legislation seeks to create a new government agency, the State Service of Ukraine for International Defense Companies. The agency work will include overseeing the activities of such companies, registering defense contracts, and keeping tabs on their military equipment and personnel.  It will report directly to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.

Under the proposed law, private military companies will only be allowed to provide defense services outside of Ukraine. It also stipulates that the founders of these companies can be led by Ukrainian residents, either individuals or entities, who can recruit “Ukrainian citizens, foreigners, or stateless individuals with military experience”, provided they are at least 21 years old.