The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has expanded the powers of private air defence groups. Companies taking part in the state pilot scheme will now be able, under contract, to defend not only their own production facilities but also the infrastructure of other companies. The government has also authorised the use of manned aircraft, expanded the scope for the deployment of interceptor drones and lowered the minimum age for members of air defence groups from 21 to 18. The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine announced the government’s decision on 4 November.
- The Cabinet of Ministers has authorised private air defence groups to protect other companies’ facilities under contract.
- The minimum age for members of such groups has been lowered from 21 to 18.
- Businesses will be able to use manned aircraft and an expanded range of interceptor drones.
- The transfer of air defence equipment between companies will be subject to approval by the Air Force Command.
- Almost 100 companies have joined the project, and over 60 aerial targets have been destroyed.
Private security firms will be able to protect other companies’ premises
The main change concerns the areas and facilities that may be under the protection of private air defence groups.
Previously, companies set up such units primarily to protect their own staff, production facilities and infrastructure. Now, companies that have already joined the pilot scheme are able to enter into contracts with other organisations to provide air defence for their sites.
This makes it possible to organise the defence of industrial sites, logistics centres and warehouses without each company having to set up its own separate unit.
Such units are not authorised to determine the procedures for the combat use of weapons independently. They remain part of the unified air defence system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and operate under the control of the military command.
Citizens aged 18 and over will be able to join civil defence groups
Another significant change has been the lowering of the minimum age for members of private civil air defence groups. From now on, individuals aged 18 and over may be recruited into these groups. Previously, the minimum age was 21.
This broadens the pool of potential participants in the pilot scheme, but does not mean that any adult citizen automatically has the right to use air defence equipment on their own.
Participation in such groups requires compliance with the established requirements, and the activities themselves are organised by authorised organisations in collaboration with the military.
Separately, the government has expanded the list of companies eligible to join the programme. Among the new criteria are holding Defence City resident status or being recognised as a critical enterprise by the Ministry of Defence.
Businesses have been allowed to make wider use of interceptor drones
The updated regulations also apply to the technical equipment used in private civil air defence.
The Cabinet of Ministers has regulated the use by enterprises of warheads and electric detonators as part of interceptor drones. This expands the methods provided for in the regulations for countering Russian drones.
In addition, the groups private security company will be able to use manned aircraft.
Another new measure allows authorised organisations to transfer air defence assets to one another for use. This requires a joint decision with the command of the Ukrainian Air Force.
Consequently, companies will be able not only to enter into contracts for the protection of facilities, but also to coordinate the use of existing equipment in accordance with procedures approved by the military.
Private air defence units have already shot down more than 60 Russian aerial targets
A pilot project for private air defence has been in operation in Ukraine since November 2025, in accordance with Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1506.
It was developed to enable businesses to strengthen the protection of their own infrastructure against Russian drones, without placing an additional burden on regular air defence units.
According to the Ministry of Defence, as of mid-October 2026, nearly 100 companies had joined the programme. Private groups have already destroyed more than 60 aerial targets, including Shahed attack drones and Zala reconnaissance drones.
One example of business involvement is the company «Nova Poshta». As previously reported by UkrMedia, the company’s own air defence system has already achieved success in intercepting Russian attack drones.
The first confirmed successful interceptions by private groups as part of a government trial took place in the spring of 2026.
The new rules expand business opportunities whilst retaining the core principle: decisions regarding combat operations are taken within the framework of a unified air defence system under the control of the military command.
