Ukraine’s government has approved changes allowing critical infrastructure enterprises to establish their own air defense units and receive additional weapons to strengthen site-specific protection, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced on March 2.
The decision expands an experimental project launched in November 2025 that integrates private-sector facilities into Ukraine’s unified air defense system under the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
And it would be a historic move towards creating more air defense groups outside the classic Armed Forces, with separate groups to protect the infrastructure amid massive Russian strikes and business operations in the face of large-scale air attacks of Russian forces.
According to the government’s press release, the updated framework “broadens participation” and introduces clearer oversight mechanisms while keeping all decisions under military command.
Under the new rules, critical infrastructure enterprises – regardless of ownership structure – are permitted to form air defense groups tasked with protecting specific facilities.
The move comes as Russia continues aerial attacks on Ukraine’s energy and industrial sites, forcing Kyiv to seek more flexible models of defense for strategic assets.
The government is introducing qualification requirements for personnel serving in enterprise-based air defense units.
Staff will undergo training and certification at institutions designated by the Defense Ministry. The measure aims to standardize operational readiness and ensure compatibility with the broader national air defense network.
The Cabinet of Ministers also updated procedures governing the inventory, storage, accounting and use of air defense systems and ammunition.
The revised framework is intended to ensure transparent control over weapons provided to civilian-run enterprises while maintaining centralized oversight.
Under the changes, the Air Force Command of the AFU will be authorized to temporarily transfer air defense systems and ammunition to enterprises on a case-by-case basis.
The weapons eligible for transfer include systems not currently deployed by combat units.
If ammunition is used, replenishment will be carried out under a simplified procedure based on an official record of actual expenditures.
“All decisions are made under the control of military command and within the unified air defense system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the press release quoted Svyrydenko as saying.