PRIVATE MILITARY COMPANIES AS A TOOL FOR IMPLEMENTING THE POWER STRATEGY OF HYBRID WARS

Abstract

Aim. To study the role of private military companies as a tool for implementing the power strategy of hybrid wars. Methodology. The analysis of private military companies activities as one of the components of hybrid warfare forms reveals the models and specifics of these organizations participation in armed conflicts. The work uses various general scientific methods, as well as comparative and institutional methods, the method of system analysis. Results. The activities of private military companies are a distinctive feature of military conflicts of the XXI century. These structures are an effective tool for implementing foreign policy, as well as an integral part of a set of measures that is used in the hybrid warfare. Cooperation with various subjects of international relations allows private military companies to act as an independent political actor. Three forms of participation of private military companies in hybrid wars are identified and analyzed: the conduct of military operations by the state with the involvement of PMCs; the hiring of PMCs by the state for operations; the assistance of PMCs in the implementation of military operations conducted by other states. Research implications. The results obtained allow us to expand approaches to the consideration of existing problems, create prerequisites for further study of the role of PMCs in the system of international relations.