WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has approved a move allowing contractors to fix military equipment on Ukrainian soil for the first time, sending what a Defense official described as “a small number” of personnel into the ongoing conflict with Russia.

According to the unnamed official, these contractors will remain far from the combat zones and will not engage with Russian troops. Reuters was first to break this news.

The contractors are set to work on advanced weaponry, including F-16 fighter jets and Patriot missile defense systems. These complex weapons necessitate specialized technical support, and having these contractors nearby will facilitate swift repairs when necessary.

The official mentioned that some American firms already have staff in Ukraine, alongside U.S. contractors employed by the State Department.

This development comes as Donald Trump wins re-election, raising concerns in Washington that he may significantly cut or possibly end military support for Ukraine during his new term.

Trump has claimed he could resolve the Ukraine conflict “in a day,” although he hasn’t detailed how. He has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stating at an October rally that “we continue to give billions of dollars to a man who refuses to negotiate.”

He maintains a cordial relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who called to congratulate him following his election win on Friday.

Zelenskyy remarked that he had a “great conversation” with Trump on Wednesday, stating, “We agreed to keep in close contact and enhance our collaboration,” in a message shared on X.

The Pentagon still has approximately $4 billion available from presidential drawdown initiatives and over $2 billion remaining in the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative to allocate to Ukraine’s military efforts. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh mentioned at a press briefing on Thursday that weapons packages will be sent out on an “almost weekly basis” until the end of President Biden’s administration.

Last Friday, the U.S. authorized a new weapons package amounting to $425 million for Ukraine, which includes Stinger and Javelin missiles, drones, and various kinds of ammunition, as stated by the State Department. Since the conflict began in February 2022, Congress has allocated more than $174.2 billion to assist the war-torn country, according to U.S. government information.