Former Russian official comments on private military companies and the contracting system
Vladislav Surkov, a former vice president and influential figure in Russian political circles, questioned the value of private military companies (PMCs) operating inside Russia. He viewed PMCs as a risky borrowing from Western models that could clash with Russia’s own strategic culture. An excerpt from an interview with Surkov appeared on a telegraph channel associated with political strategist Alexei Chesnakov, shedding light on his cautious stance toward PMCs.
Surkov argued that there is no need to imitate foreign institutions blindly. Some practices may be adopted, while others should be rejected. As he put it, a direct borrowing from Western practice raises questions about its fit within Russian realities. He emphasized that the Russian Armed Forces already operate under a contract system that is sophisticated and adaptable, and there is little justification for adopting PMCs as a substitute or supplement that could blur lines between state and private military power.
Regarding legislation on PMCs, Surkov expressed skepticism about legitimizing an essentially non-institutional structure within Russian society. He warned that formalizing PMCs could create a private army risk and would threaten the distinctive Russian political, administrative, and military culture. Such a development might also open the door to a Eurasian environment where private military actors play a dominant role, challenging national sovereignty and the state’s monopoly on force.
In related commentary, former Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee Andrey Kartapolov outlined that any bill on PMCs would not reach completion before autumn. He noted that Russia already has separate laws that regulate the status of PMC employees, but new legislation would need to be harmonized with existing norms to avoid gaps and inconsistencies. This process signals careful consideration of how private involvement could be integrated within Russia’s legal framework while preserving the integrity of national defense policy. [Source: interview excerpts and official statements]