A company has set up a private air defence unit in the Kharkiv region: how the unit operates

This was announced by Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

According to him, private air defence units have already shot down several Russian drones in the Kharkiv region, including Shahed and Zala.

At the same time, new air defence units are being formed at a further 13 enterprises that have been granted the status of authorised economic entities by the Ministry of Defence.

Currently, all units are at various stages of training: some are already carrying out combat missions, others are undergoing training, and the rest are completing their training and will soon bolster the country’s air defence.

According to Fedorov, the private air defence units are integrated into the unified command system of the Ukrainian Air Force and are already operating within it — protecting facilities and participating in the interception of Shahed drones.

“This is a systemic solution that allows for the rapid scaling of air defence capabilities without placing an additional burden on frontline units,” noted the Minister of Defence.

How private air defence systems will operate

In early March, the government amended the pilot project on involving enterprises in the state air defence system. Critical infrastructure enterprises will now be able to establish their own air defence units to protect their facilities.

The Ukrainian Air Force Command will be able to temporarily transfer air defence equipment and ammunition currently not in use by combat units to these enterprises. Replenishment of used ammunition will be carried out via a simplified procedure based on a statement of actual expenditure.

At the same time, the air defence units at such facilities must meet the qualification requirements. To this end, personnel will undergo training and certification at institutions designated by the Ministry of Defence.