The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine granted the participating companies official status to conduct air defence activities. In total, 92 businesses have applied to join the programme, including critical infrastructure operators and other private-sector companies.
The project was launched by the ministry at the end of 2025 in response to repeated attacks by enemy unmanned systems. It is intended to strengthen protection for employees, production facilities and other corporate infrastructure exposed to drone strikes.
Private air defence groups do not operate as independent units. They form part of Ukraine’s multi-layered airspace protection system and operate under the command of the Air Command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The programme’s expansion gives more businesses an authorised role in protecting their personnel and facilities while keeping their operations within the national command structure. By mid-September, 81 of the 92 companies that applied had been admitted to the project.
