Strengthening Ukraine’s private air defense: Government approves six key changes
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has expanded opportunities for companies to join private air defense and improved the operating rules for this experimental project.
The decision, initiated by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, was adopted at a Government meeting.
The changes are intended to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense capabilities as the enemy intensifies air attacks on critical infrastructure facilities.
How private air defense will operate under the new rules
The document adopted by the Government provides for six key changes:
- companies that have already joined private air defense will be able to protect other companies’ facilities under a contract, in addition to their own;
- authorized companies may transfer air defense assets to one another for use based on a joint decision with the Air Force Command;
- new criteria for companies to participate in the experimental project have been added: Defence City resident status and/or designation by the Ministry of Defence as a critically important company;
- manned aircraft can be used as part of air defense groups;
- opportunities to use interceptor drones have been expanded by regulating companies’ use of warheads and electric detonators;
- the minimum age for members of companies’ air defense groups has been lowered from 21 to 18.
Private air defense continues to operate under the control of the military command and within the unified air defense system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
What private air defense protects and how many targets it has already shot down
The private air defense project is being implemented in accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 1506 dated November 19, 2025.
It allows companies to provide additional protection for their personnel, production facilities, and energy facilities that are regularly targeted by enemy UAVs. It also makes it possible to rapidly scale up air defense capabilities without placing an additional burden on the air defense of the Defence Forces of Ukraine.
The Ministry of Defence previously reported that private air defense groups began conducting combat missions in spring 2026.
As of mid-October, nearly 100 companies had joined the private air defense initiative. They have already destroyed more than 60 air targets, including enemy Shahed-type attack drones and Zala reconnaissance UAVs.
