Khraban I.
Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University, Professor of the Department of National Security, Public Management and Administration, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor, https://оrcid.org/0000-0003-3319-8538.
Grubov V.
Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University, Professor  of the Department of National Security, Public Management and Administration, Doctor of Political Sciences, e-Professor.
https://оrcid. org/0000-0002-3048-3280.
Svynarenko V.
National Defense University of Ukraine named after Ivan Cherniakhovsky. Kiyv, https://оrcid. org/0000-0001-7514-1535

Abstract
The article analyzes the history of creation and some directions of activity of private military companies (PMC) in performing tasks of a specific nature and protection to corporate and state interests of individual countries of the world. It is noted that as a new but effective tool, both representatives of big business, “big” and “small” countries come to the services of the PMC when they consider it necessary not to reveal their interests and remain in the “shadows”. The following research tasks were solved:
– to investigate the existing theoretical approaches in assessing the functioning of military companies;
– to analyze the world experience of creating and applying PMC;
– to examine the specifics of tasks and operations of the PMC;
– to determine the development prospects of the PMC institute in the system of promoting national interests.

 Keywords: private military companies, mercenary, war, legal support, Swiss initiative, military operations.