U.S. officials say the Pentagon is easing restrictions to allow a small number of private American defense contactors to work inside Ukraine, helping repair and maintain equipment

The Pentagon will allow contactors to repair military equipment inside Ukraine for the first time, putting what a Defense official termed "a small number" of personnel inside the country at war with Russia.

By Phil Stewart WASHINGTON (Reuters) -In its final months, President Joe Biden's administration has decided to allow U.S. defense contractors to work in Ukraine to maintain and repair Pentagon-provided weaponry,

The United States will send a small number of contractors to Ukraine to help it maintain and repair the U.S.-provided weapons and air defense systems it is using against Russia’s invasion, a defense official said Friday.

The US has lifted its ban on contractors working to maintain and repair US-provided weapons in Ukraine, as Russia continues its rain bombs on civilians across the embattled country. The policy shift from the Biden administration — aimed at bolstering US aid in Ukraine’s fight against the Kremlin — would station a small number of American defense contractors far from the front lines.