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.

A small number of U.S. defense contractors have been approved by the Pentagon to work in Ukraine to maintain American provided weapons.

This represents a significant policy shift aimed at assisting Ukraine in its fight against Russia. An unnamed U.S. official stated that the contractors would be few and would operate far from the front lines.

Kyiv previously had to move US-provided arms out of the country for heavy repair or rely on videoconferencing and other creative solutions In its final months, US President Joe Biden's administration has decided to allow American defence contractors to work in Ukraine to maintain and repair Pentagon-provided weaponry,