The war in Ukraine is the first large-scale conventional nation-state war since the invasion of Iraq 20 years ago. As such, it highlights how warfare has evolved in the 21st century and which trends are on the rise. 
Besides the proliferation of unmanned aerial systems and the importance of precision-guided long-range weapons, another trend that has been evident from the fighting in Ukraine is the use of private military companies.
The Russian Military and Private Military Companies
The infamous Wagner Group private military company has played an outsized role in the Kremlin’s “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the mercenary group played the main role in the capture of Bakhmut, the longest and deadliest battle in the war so far.
But the use of paramilitary groups isn’t something new for the Kremlin. Indeed, over the past two …