Twenty-four companies join private air defense initiative

The Ministry of Defense stated this in an article, according to Ukrinform.

The initiative involves enterprises of different forms of ownership.

The defense ministry recalled that the private air defense project was launched at the end of last year to provide additional protection for employees and production facilities of enterprises that are regularly targeted by Russian drone attacks. The initiative was proposed by the Ministry of Defense.

Private air defense is not an independent unit, but rather one of the components of the country’s multi-layered air defense system, operating under the command of the Air Command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Private air defense groups consist of civilian employees who have undergone training, possess the necessary certifications and permits, and meet established requirements. Within current legislation and with approval from the Air Force command, these employees are authorized to use designated air defense systems in specific areas and at specific times to protect against enemy attacks.

Individuals who are not subject to conscription under the law "On Mobilization Preparation and Mobilization" may join private air defense groups. They do not receive draft exemptions for participating in these groups. Representatives of paramilitary security units may also join if the enterprise has such units.

As Ukrinform previously reported, at the end of March, Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov stated that the experimental project involving the private sector in air defense is already yielding its first results.

In April, a private air defense group in the Kharkiv region shot down a jet-powered drone of Russian invaders for the first time.

Photo: Ministry of Defense