Methods and resources of warfare at the end of XX - beginning of XXI century are quite different from those, what were used by our grandfathers and great-grandfathers. One of the know-how of the past century was the official appearance of private military companies., Catherine writes in Gabel “Moskovsky Komsomolets”.
In Russia, such activity is prohibited and is subject to two articles of the Criminal Code., although in the world the use of PMCs in zones of armed conflict has long been a common practice. And now, when Russia expands its presence in other regions, PMCs could become good helpers of the army and conductors of the interests of the state. Of course, like any other phenomenon, there are pluses, and cons. Does Russia officially need private military companies?, now existing in the country in a very shaky legal status, find out better from specialists.
Background to the issue
“Ancestors” PMCs can be conditionally considered “soldier of fortune”, which began to operate already in the 50s. These were organized groups of mercenaries, who for good money went to hot spots and followed the orders of those, who gave them more money. Usually, they were former military or just people interested in military affairs. After completing the mission, such units were usually disbanded.. The first PMC appeared in Britain in the 60s. Her creator, colonel of the british army, analyzing the actions of the mercenaries, I decided, that their activities can, roughly speaking, put on conveyor. They were mainly engaged in the protection and security of the facilities of oil companies in unstable regions.. Until the 90s, such organizations worked in “gray” zone. Western governments used them to realize their goals there, where the use of regular troops was impossible.
Gradually, PMCs began to emerge from the shadows after the end “cold war”. Repeatedly they tried to drive their activities into some kind of legal framework.. After the scandal with the infamous Blackwater in Iraq (killing of civilians, etc.) the question of the responsibility of PMCs has become very acute.
17 September 2008 year was adopted “Montreux document” - a set of rather recommendations, than hard rules. He identified, that responsibility for the activities of PMCs should be borne and “country of origin” company, and country, with which PMCs signed a contract. According to this document: “PMCs are private business entities, who provide military and / or security services, regardless of, how do they characterize themselves. Military and security services include, in particular, armed guards and protection of people and objects, e.g. transport convoys, buildings and other places; maintenance and operation of combat systems; detention of prisoners; counseling or training for local military personnel and guards”.
In Russia, the activities of PMCs are subject to two articles of the Criminal Code.: “mercenary” and “Organization of an illegal armed group”. Plus the purchase of military weapons is outlawed by us. but, taking into account the worldwide trend of transferring certain functions of the state to private hands, the question of the possibility of legalizing the activities of private military companies is increasingly being raised in our country.
The relevance of the issue is evidenced by repeated attempts to push through the law in Russia, which would regulate the actions of PMCs. Now their status is very blurred - and officially they cannot exist., because the law is not allowed, however de facto structures, very similar in their functions to PMCs, has already, only act in “gray” zone.
“If the phenomenon takes place, then it should be controlled”
We asked ourselves the main question: Does Russia need private military companies and who should regulate and control their activities? For answers to this question, we turned to Vladimir Neelov, expert of the Center for Strategic Business.
- You spoke about several bills on the activities of PMCs. Why not one was accepted?
- I think, what you need to start with a small historical excursion. This issue has been discussed in Russia for the past 6 years. The first attempt to pass a similar law was made back in 2012 year. As prime minister, in his message to the Federation Council, Vladimir Putin said, that such a bill is timely. Therefore, 2012 year it was brought up for discussion. Dmitry Rogozin also publicly supported the bill.. After several months of wandering through the corridors of the State Duma, the bill was wrapped up, pointing out, what he “contrary to the Constitution”. Next try “push through” a similar bill was introduced in 2014 year, after the events in Ukraine. In November 2014 year, the bill did not go beyond the stage of preliminary consideration by the Council of the State Duma: he was also rejected all for the same reason - a contradiction to the Constitution. In 2015-2016, two attempts were made to, which were also unsuccessful. I think, that the point is in the position of the main power structures, and the events in Ukraine added fuel to the fire. At first, there will be a question about the circulation of weapons. However, there is world experience, how this problem can be solved. for example, employees of British PMCs are not allowed to go armed at all on the territory of Great Britain. How it will be regulated in our country is a question. A plus, as stated above, Ukraine has demonstrated to everyone, what, having money, man can create his own army, which, with the proper level of training, will be able to withstand government forces.
- Is there really a need for legal regulation of PMCs in Russia??
- I am a supporter of the principle, what if the phenomenon already takes place, then it should be controlled. In Russia, in some “borderline” zone work, let us say, “RSB Group”, “Moran security group” and some other similar companies. That is, in Russia there is definitely a point in regulating the activities of PMCs.. Here the question of goal-setting should still be raised.: if something is created in the state, you need to understand why. IN USA, eg, such companies are engaged in a wide range of activities. This is also the protection of ships, energy complex objects, diplomatic and other missions, logistics, training. Generally, PMCs can be used there, where there is no point in pulling the main forces. What for, let us say, leave a group in the rear to protect the oil infrastructure and thereby weaken the main group?
In that form, in which private military companies exist in western countries, it is a fairly effective means of solving specific problems, whose spectrum is much wider, what is customary to present to the general public. But also problems, as western experience shows, a large number of. We must not forget, that the owners of private military companies, like in any business, make profit as their main goal, which in a sense is contraindicated in such a case, as military security.
There are a large number of military specialists in Russia, who for various reasons left the security forces. And many would like to continue to engage in military affairs. And PMCs for such people are a great alternative. In Britain, eg, often, such companies enter into agreements with large oil companies for the protection of facilities in “hot spots”. We could act on the same principle - this will not delay the regular units and the money will remain in the country. Furthermore, large domestic corporations, working in unstable regions of the world, could legally hire Russian PMCs for security. Their services, in its turn, would be in good demand among many countries and foreign business, that is, they would bring some income to the Russian treasury (on condition, that they will not be taken offshore).
But there is a downside to the personnel issue - there may be an outflow of personnel from law enforcement agencies.. Indeed, on the example of Western PMCs, private companies pay more. There are other motives besides financial.. for example, private military companies do not have such a rigid hierarchical structure, as in the military, where often professionals, who want to fulfill their potential, it's harder to do it, than in a private organization.
- How should the state control the activities of PMCs?
- Activities of PMCs, naturally, should be monitored. At first, there is a licensing mechanism for this. Any PMC, before entering the market, must go through this procedure. Plus any activity, which is related to the circulation of weapons, must be under state control.
- What functions can PMCs perform in a combat zone??
- Protection of objects, dignitaries, escort convoys, consulting, moreover, in the broadest sense - from operational-tactical to strategic. There are examples, when PMCs help the state, in which they work, in the development of military doctrine. In Ukraine, let us say, employees of PMCs were involved to carry out police reform. Besides, functions may include logistic support, and logistics, and training. Training also has to be understood as a very wide spectrum - here training of personnel and the basics of tactics, and handling new types of weapons. Often, PMC employees are also involved as military translators.. Private specialists can be used to collect intelligence. In general, the range is wide.
- What types of weapons, In your opinion, can use PMCs?
- Well, first of all, small arms, light armored vehicles, armored vehicles. Helicopters and transport aircraft. But the use of heavy armored vehicles is the prerogative of the army..
- Who should be responsible for the activities of PMCs? The company itself, state or employer?
- Again, it is easier to explain with an example. Was in 2012 a rather revealing story with our “Moran security group”. They signed a contract in Nigeria. And this country is in the zone of interests of Britain, and share your “a piece of pie” the queen's subjects did not want. Therefore the ship, on which company employees were sent to the task, was detained for arms smuggling. For a year and a half, our citizens could not return home. And in such cases, you need to act on the basis of considerations, that these are our citizens. The ideal model of behavior in such situations for the United States is that they first take their citizens to their territory., and then they deal with them (either they don't understand, as often happened in Iraq). There is another version of the situation - if a PMC is hired by a corporation. Then it turns out, that the responsibility should be borne by the employing company.
“We have a chance to jump on a departing train”
In the West, PMCs have long been familiar organizations.. Look at that, how they work, what tasks they perform and how they live, is quite real. Former employee of a Western PMC, asking not to be named, told about his service.
- Whose company was it?
- This is a British company.
- It was a general company or specialized in something specific?
- We were only engaged in the protection of ships. The company specialized in this.
- Compared to official structures, PMCs paid more?
- I can't judge everyone, but when i got there at 2010 year, our salary was quite large - 10 000 dollars a month. Well then, if you remember the situation with piracy, our type of service was in demand. The pirates were poorly armed, and only a few people on the ship were enough to protect him. At that time, the main employees of the company were citizens of Western Europe.. There were many British, French.
However, over time, the pirates' weapons became more modern., and they got the opportunity to go out to sea. But by this time there were enough companies on the market., who competed for orders. Therefore, gradually the salary began to fall.. At first it was cut in 2 times - and the most qualified personnel began to leave the company, but from those wishing to from the countries of Eastern Europe, with the Balkans, There was no end to Ukraine. They fought so-so, but were undemanding. Then the money became half as much, and that's when I left.
- Is it necessary in Russia to regulate the activities of PMCs?
- I believe, what if the phenomenon takes place, then the legal basis must be adjusted to fit it. In Russia, As far as I understand, all, which is clearly not prohibited, it is allowed. Therefore, some security companies appear, which are essentially PMCs, at least their range of services is approximately similar. But they operate in the so-called gray zone. If you correctly develop a bill, clearly define the functions of PMCs, their duties and rights, then there will be no problems with this. Plus, this is an injection into the economy of the state - they will pay taxes..
- Are you aware of the situation with “Moran group” at 2012 year? In your opinion, in such conflicts, PMC employees are primarily citizens of the country or mercenaries?
- Very strange, that it took so long to free people. clear, that such situations are quite real, but for this, official contracts are concluded. Was this document in the hands of the detainees, unknown. However, he could well be proof of that, that people did not just come here with weapons to kill civilians, and that they perform a certain mission at the request of the government of a country or a large company. But if the incident has already happened, then the state, whose citizens find themselves in such a situation, must, in my opinion, do your best, so they get home as soon as possible. And only then deal with them according to internal laws. Slippery situation with Iraq and Academy (this is what the Blackwater is called now). There was a violation of international law, humanitarian law, civilians were killed, who posed no danger to PMC employees. In this case, this conflict is already, in fact, interstate and must be dealt with by the International Tribunal.
- Do we have a chance to catch up in terms of development of PMC West?
- I think, that we have every chance. We have excellent military specialists, many of those, who has real combat experience, but for some reason he cannot serve in the Armed Forces or is dismissed - why not give people the opportunity to somehow convey their experience. Figuratively speaking, there is a chance to jump on a departing train.
