Russia's Blackwater

Josh Kucera flags a Russia Today report on Oryol, a Russian defense contractor training ex-military officers for security work in Iraq:

And to avoid such trouble is the chief responsibility of this group. These men are from the anti-terror group Oryol and, much like their infamous, American counterpart “Blackwater”, they provide private security for Russian engineers and businessmen operating inside Iraq.

“I firmly believe Russians can do a lot in the Middle East, much more than our American and British colleagues. Local people treat us much better – both police and the opposition. We are there with a peaceful mission. We help rebuild power plants,” says Sergey Epishkin.

Thanks to the personnel cuts in recent military reforms, they don't seem to be having much trouble hiring.