The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has changed the rules for creating and operating air defense groups at enterprises. Now companies will be able to protect the facilities of other organizations under contracts, jointly use air defense means, and involve younger employees in the work. The list of enterprises that can participate in the project has also been expanded.

The corresponding changes were approved by Cabinet Resolution No. 1361 dated October 28, 2026. The new rules apply to the experimental private air defense project launched by the government in November 2025.

One of the main changes was the permission for authorized enterprises to provide air defense of the property of other companies on a contractual basis. Customers of such services can be legal entities regardless of ownership form, as well as individual entrepreneurs, including critical infrastructure operators.

Thus, businesses will be able to attract specialized enterprises with the appropriate authority to protect their facilities. At the same time, concluding a contract does not automatically grant the right to independently use air defense means.

What changes did the government approve

The resolution provides for several key innovations:

  • Expansion of the circle of participants. Residents of Defence City and enterprises of the military-industrial complex recognized by the Ministry of Defense as critically important for ensuring the needs of the army or the functioning of the economy will be able to join the project.
  • Lowering the age threshold. The minimum age of employees planned to be included in air defense groups has been reduced from 21 to 18 years.
  • Protection of other companies' facilities. Authorized enterprises will be able to conclude contracts for air defense of real estate and other property of customers.
  • Joint use of equipment. Several authorized enterprises will be able to interact in providing air defense groups, including transferring air defense means for use.
  • Use of manned aviation. Manned aircraft have been included in the list of permitted air defense means. A procedure for their temporary registration is provided.
  • Involvement of sappers. Groups will be able to include mine clearance specialists who have undergone professional training or confirmed their relevant qualifications.

For Defence City residents and certain critically important defense enterprises, documentary confirmation of compliance with the conditions for participation in the project is also simplified.

A separate procedure for temporary registration of manned aircraft to be used by air defense groups has been established. The Ministry of Defense must consider the relevant applications within ten calendar days.

Private air defense will remain under military control

Despite the expansion of business opportunities, private air defense groups do not gain full independence.

Their activities remain part of the overall air defense system of Ukraine and are carried out under the control of the relevant commands of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The military command coordinates the work of the groups and monitors the fulfillment of assigned tasks.

Enterprises may purchase certain types of equipment at their own expense. In addition, the current procedure provides for the possibility of temporary provision of air defense means and ammunition by the military with a relevant decision of the command.

Almost 100 enterprises have joined private air defense

According to the Ministry of Defense, as of October 14, 2026, almost 100 state and private enterprises, including critical infrastructure operators, have joined the experimental project.

At that time, about 50 air defense groups had been formed. Groups from six enterprises were involved in combat missions.

As reported by the Ministry of Defense, by mid-October, project participants had destroyed over 60 Russian air targets. In particular, interceptor drones and automated turret installations are used to counter drones.

The experimental project is aimed at strengthening the protection of industrial facilities, energy infrastructure, and enterprise employees from Russian air strikes. The new rules expand the capabilities of its participants while keeping air defense under military command.