Biden to allow American military contractors to deploy to Ukraine for first time since Russia’s invasion

The Biden administration has lifted a de facto ban on American military contractors working in Ukraine to support the country’s military with maintenance and repairs for U.S.-provided weapons systems, including F-16 fighter jets and Patriot air defense systems, according to a source with direct knowledge of the decision shared with CNN.

The recently approved policy, enacted earlier this month, allows the Pentagon to issue contracts for American companies to operate inside Ukraine for the first time since Russia's 2022 invasion. Officials hope this move will accelerate the upkeep of critical systems used by Ukraine’s forces.

It remains uncertain if Donald Trump will continue this policy when he assumes office in January. Trump has previously expressed his intent to end the Ukraine-Russia conflict "within 24 hours" of returning to the presidency.

“To aid Ukraine in maintaining and repairing military equipment provided by the U.S. and its allies, the Department of Defense (DoD) is inviting bids from a limited number of contractors who will assist with the equipment we've supplied,” said a defense official.

“These contractors will be stationed far from the front lines and will not be engaging Russian forces. They are there to help Ukraine quickly repair and maintain U.S.-provided systems to ensure rapid redeployment to combat zones.”

The official confirmed the policy shift as essential, citing the technical expertise required to maintain systems like the F-16 and Patriot. This change signifies another notable shift in the Biden administration’s approach as it seeks to strengthen Ukraine's position in the conflict. Contracts are expected to be posted publicly soon, according to the official.

Over the past two years, Biden has emphasized the importance of keeping Americans, particularly U.S. military personnel, away from front-line zones in Ukraine to minimize risks and prevent the perception that U.S. forces are directly involved in combat. Since 2022, the State Department has explicitly warned Americans against traveling to Ukraine.

Due to these precautions, military equipment with heavy combat damage has had to be sent out of Ukraine to neighboring NATO countries like Poland and Romania for repairs—a process that takes time. U.S. troops have supported Ukrainians with routine maintenance and logistics only remotely, through video calls or secure lines, though these efforts are limited by the inability to work directly on-site.

Officials tell CNN that allowing skilled U.S. contractors to operate within Ukraine will enable faster repairs for high-value equipment like the F-16, which was delivered to Ukraine earlier this year. Contractors vying for these roles must include comprehensive risk mitigation plans to address potential threats to their staff.

“The Department made this decision following a thorough risk assessment and in collaboration with interagency partners,” said the defense official. “Each contractor, organization, or company will be responsible for employee safety and must include risk mitigation strategies in their proposals.”

According to those familiar with the policy change, this move will not lead to a large-scale presence of American contractors as seen in Iraq and Afghanistan. Instead, it would likely result in a rotation of several dozen to a few hundred contractors in Ukraine at any given time.

“It’s important to note that American companies already have personnel in Ukraine fulfilling contracts for the Ukrainian government, so this change will not significantly increase the number of U.S. company employees working on the ground there,” the defense official added.