Local communities will be able to directly fund air defense groups
Ukraine is expanding a unique experimental project to strengthen air defense, allowing local self-government bodies to directly fund air defense groups within Volunteer Formations of Territorial Communities (VFTCs). At the same time, operational command of these groups will remain under the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
At the initiative of the Ministry of Defence, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine introduced the relevant amendments to the procedure for implementing the experimental project aimed at strengthening air defense through the involvement of air defense groups (Resolution No. 699 of June 11, 2025).
Involvement of local communities in air defense
Air defense groups are units within Volunteer Formations of Territorial Communities (VFTCs) that operate on a territorial basis and carry out detection, surveillance, warning, and neutralization of aerial threats using strike UAVs or manned aircraft.
The document recognizes local self-government bodies as full participants in the project alongside the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, military administrations, and VFTC commanders.
Additional remuneration for air defense group members for confirmed target engagements
The resolution also establishes the mechanism for providing additional remuneration to air defense group members for confirmed strikes against or destruction of aerial targets.
Command and control of the groups remains the exclusive responsibility of the military command authorities: operational planning and command of the groups are carried out by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine through the relevant air defense command bodies, while group members perform their missions in accordance with the statutes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
For reference. The experimental project involving air defense groups within Volunteer Formations of Territorial Communities (VFTCs) has been in operation since June 2025. The Ministry of Defence, in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Transformation, developed the project in accordance with the decision of the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
In March 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers broadened the list of entities eligible to initiate the establishment of air defense groups and clarified the personnel requirements for their staffing.