[20200916]IF11650_俄罗斯私营军事公司（PMCs）.pdf

https:/crsreports.congress.gov September 16, 2020Russian Private Military Companies (PMCs)Over the last decade, Russian private military companies (PMCs) have appeared globally in various conflicts. Observers believe the Russian government is increasingly using PMCs to project power cheaply and deniably. Russian PMCs often operate alongside local militias, volunteers, criminal groups, and other non-state actors. In many cases, such PMCs appear closely connected to and controlled by the Russian government; in other cases, the extent of government control is uncertain. Members of Congress may be interested in examining the scope of Russian PMC operations to understand the full range of Russian tactics and operations when evaluating Russias efforts to advance its foreign policy. History and Legal Status During the 1990s, Russia experienced an increase in internal demand for security services, which resulted in the growth of a large domestic private protection industry. The fall of the USSR left many former soldiers, members of elite special forces, and intelligence professionals jobless; many of these former soldiers formed associations with veterans of their old units and created ne