The Biden administration is moving towards lifting a de facto ban on American military contractors deploying to Ukraine, four US officials familiar with the matter told CNN, to help the country’s military maintain and repair US-provided weapons systems.
Exactly! That is who most of the so-called “volunteers” actually are. And there are certain US-supplied weapons systems that Ukrainian conscripts have zero ability to operate in the first place (like Patriots and probably even HIMARS launchers). So when Russian forces blow them up (which they do), we can be fairly certain that US (or other NATO) “contractors” are getting killed (which they are).
Brigadier general Adam Marczak. Polish govt and media deny it vehemently, official version is that he died from unspecified natural causes in Belgium and he was barely 52 without any mentions of health problems anywhere. He just completely coincidentally suddenly died in the same day Russia did a major attack on a mercenary base.
And potentially offer mercs with larger, more advanced hardware that couldnt remain under the radar. Academi has been building a private airforce for example.
My understanding is the A-4s can be modified to Gen 4 fighter standards. But you’re probably right, my point really was that more visible mercs let’s them bring armor or bigger hardware and do more visible activities.
No way there isn’t already US mercs there. I assume this means they’re looking at starting a massive slushfund for much larger numbers.
Exactly! That is who most of the so-called “volunteers” actually are. And there are certain US-supplied weapons systems that Ukrainian conscripts have zero ability to operate in the first place (like Patriots and probably even HIMARS launchers). So when Russian forces blow them up (which they do), we can be fairly certain that US (or other NATO) “contractors” are getting killed (which they are).
Wasn’t there a polish general who got killed in ukraine?
Brigadier general Adam Marczak. Polish govt and media deny it vehemently, official version is that he died from unspecified natural causes in Belgium and he was barely 52 without any mentions of health problems anywhere. He just completely coincidentally suddenly died in the same day Russia did a major attack on a mercenary base.
Of course there is, this is just a way to pay for them without any middle men
And potentially offer mercs with larger, more advanced hardware that couldnt remain under the radar. Academi has been building a private airforce for example.
Academi has some Brazillian turboprops and jets from the 1950s
They wouldn’t last long
My understanding is the A-4s can be modified to Gen 4 fighter standards. But you’re probably right, my point really was that more visible mercs let’s them bring armor or bigger hardware and do more visible activities.
that’s my reading as well