Russia’s use of its private military companies

Abstract

Russian-speaking soldiers bearing no insignia have appeared in various global conflicts and as security consultants in weak states since the middle of the last decade. These soldiers, hired and deployed by private military companies (PMCs), serve the interests of the Russian government as proxies and those of the Russian oligarchs seeking to profit from PMC missions. Russia may rely on private soldiers even more heavily should its relations with the United States continue to deteriorate, as seems likely.