The Ukrainian company «Nova Poshta» has implemented its own air defence project and has already successfully shot down Russian Shahed attack drones. This was announced by Vyacheslav Klimov, co-owner of the Nova Group, during the Kyiv International Economic Forum. The company has become one of the few Ukrainian enterprises that not only protect their own infrastructure but have also directly joined the effort to intercept aerial targets.
- «Nova Poshta» has set up its own air defence system.
- Vyacheslav Klimov, a co-owner of the company, confirmed the results of the air defence system’s performance.
- As of 14 October, nearly 100 Ukrainian companies had joined the state-led private air defence project.
«Nova Poshta» has confirmed the successful downing of Russian drones
Co-owner of the company Vyacheslav Klimov spoke about the results of the private security sector’s work during the 12th Kyiv International Economic Forum, which took place on 26 October 2026.
According to him, «Nova Poshta» has already implemented a project to establish its own air defence system and has a proven track record of intercepting Russian attack drones.
«We are one of the few companies to have implemented this project. I don’t want to disclose the figures to you, but we have shot down some drones,» said Klimov.
He did not specify exactly how many Russian drones had been destroyed, what air defence systems the company uses, or where its units are based.
Klimov emphasised that Ukrainian businesses are gradually taking on additional responsibilities for protecting their own enterprises, which, prior to the full-scale Russian invasion, had largely been the state’s responsibility.
How private air defence works at Ukrainian enterprises
The involvement of the business sector in air defence was made possible by a pilot government project launched in November 2025. In March 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers expanded the framework for its implementation.
Organisations that have been granted the relevant authorisation by the Ministry of Defence may establish their own air defence units, procure specified types of weaponry and recruit trained personnel.
At the same time, private units do not operate independently of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They are integrated into the overall air defence system and operate under the command of the relevant air commands of the Ukrainian Air Force. It is the military command that identifies air targets, sets the units’ tasks and determines the procedure for the use of weapons.
According to guidance from the Ministry of Defence, organisations may use interceptor drones, automated turret systems and other authorised means of countering aerial threats.
The business purchases some of the equipment at its own expense. Provision is also made for the temporary supply of weapons and ammunition from military units, subject to the relevant decisions by the command.
The company has not yet disclosed exactly which air defence system «Nova Poshta» has deployed.
Private air defence units have already destroyed more than 60 aerial targets
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, as at 14 October 2026, the pilot project private security company Almost 100 businesses took part.
In total, around 50 air defence groups were formed, which were at various stages of training and operational deployment. At that time, units from six enterprises had been deployed to carry out combat tasks directly.
Since the private air defence organisation began its operations, these The units destroyed more than 60 enemy aerial targets, in particular Russian drones.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed the first successful interceptions under the programme as early as 30 March. On that occasion, one of the private groups shot down several Russian drones in the Kharkiv region, including Shaheds and Zala reconnaissance drones.
In April, it also emerged that a private air defence unit had successfully shot down a «Shahed» drone travelling at a speed of over 400 km/h.
These figures relate to the overall performance of Ukraine’s private air defence units, rather than to «Nova Poshta» specifically.
The company also puts out fires on its own following attacks
Separately, Vyacheslav Klimov spoke about the development of Ukrainian businesses’ own fire safety capabilities.
According to him, «Nova Poshta» staff are already putting out a significant proportion of the fires that break out at businesses following Russian attacks on their own, without waiting for units from the State Emergency Service to arrive. Klimov noted that large Ukrainian companies have begun looking for fire-fighting equipment in Europe to set up their own emergency response services.
This approach enables businesses to begin fire-fighting immediately after a fire breaks out, when a rapid response is crucial to safeguarding equipment, storage facilities and goods.
The issue of security is particularly pressing for «Nova Poshta», whose logistics facilities have repeatedly come under Russian attack.
In particular, on 12 September 2026, a Russian jet-powered drone attacked the company’s terminal in Odesa. Two people were injured in the attack — a driver employed by a partner haulage company and an employee of a subcontractor.
