Patriot (company)
Russian private military company
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Patriot (Russian: ЧВК «Патриот») is a Russian state owned military company (PMSC), which has been deployed by Russia in the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has also conducted operations in Africa.
| Patriot | |
|---|---|
| Патриот | |
| |
| Dates of operation | 2018–present |
| Part of | Ministry of Defence (Russia)[1][2][3] |
| Battles and wars | |
Organisation
Patriot operates under the command of Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Military Intelligence Service (GRU).[4][5][6][7] Former Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu is believed to have strong influence over the company.[8][9]
Unlike the Wagner Group, Patriot focuses more on experienced soldiers with combat experience when recruiting. The mercenaries are also better equipped and trained compared to Wagner's soldiers.[10] According to media reports, Patriot's members receive a monthly salary of 6,300 to 15,800 US dollars.[11]
Following the death of Wagner's leadership, Patriot was named as a possible candidate to profit off of decreasing Wagner group operations.[12]
Activities
- Syria: According to several media reports, members of the military company had been active in Syria from the spring of 2018.[13][14] Unlike the Wagner group, Patriot mercenaries were said to be more active in the personal protection sector.[15]
- Ukraine: In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russia is believed to be deploying the mercenary Patriot group, as well as the Wagner Group, in the Donbas. A spokesman for the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that soldiers of the company were spotted during the Battle of Vuhledar.[8]
- Yemen: In the wake of the Emirati involvement in the Yemeni civil war, the UAE has turned to non-western sources against the Turkish & Qatari backed-Yemeni Muslim Brotherhood. The UAE has hired Patriot to support Yemeni Separatist forces.[8]
- Central African Republic: Patriot applied as a private security company to protect gold mines in the Central African Republic.[8] However, the contract was awarded to the Wagner group.[8][10] According to the TV Rain channel, the mercenary group was also involved in the murder of three journalists investigating secret Russian arms shipments to the African country.[16][17][18]