Amidst ongoing aerial attacks, Ukraine has launched an unprecedented experiment: the private sector has been granted the right to armed protection of its facilities. As of mid-July, 51 companies have already joined the project to involve businesses in the air defense (AD) system.
This information was confirmed by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, which passed the data to RBC-Ukraine. The initiative, aimed at strengthening the protection of critical infrastructure and production capacities, has ceased to be theoretical and has moved into the phase of actual combat operations.
Business Joins the Fight
The project's most significant achievement has already been recorded in practice. Private AD groups formed on the basis of four enterprises have already carried out combat missions. According to official data, more than 50 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were destroyed during these operations. The list of downed targets includes both Shahed-type strike drones and Zala-type reconnaissance models.
To implement protection, the government took unprecedented measures. In early March 2026, private companies were officially allowed to temporarily take weapons from the arsenals of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This became a key factor that allowed enterprises to rapidly deploy their own defense means.
Scale of Participation and Selection Criteria
Interest in the program turned out to be significantly higher than initial expectations. In total, applications to join were submitted by 62 enterprises of various forms of ownership, representing different industries and regions of the country. Among the applicants are both operators of critical infrastructure and private sector companies.
The Ministry of Defense conducted a selection and granted the status of authorized to carry out air defense measures to 51 organizations. For comparison: back in May, Minister Mykhailo Fedorov reported 27 participants in the project, and by early June, their number had grown to 30. Thus, over the last two months, the list of participants has almost doubled.
How the System Works
It is important to understand that "private air defense" does not mean the creation of private armies acting autonomously. Private air defense groups are integrated into the multi-level air defense system of Ukraine. They operate under the unified command of the Air Command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
This experiment became a logical continuation of discussions that began as early as last year, when the idea was first voiced to allow critically important enterprises to defend themselves from aerial attacks. Today, this idea has transformed into a working mechanism where business not only pays taxes but also directly participates in the country's defense.
