The first air defense groups formed by Ukrainian industrial enterprises have already gone on combat duty, and 13 other companies are also forming their own units, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said, quoted by Reuters, BTA reports.
Last year, the Ukrainian government allowed enterprises in the energy, communications and transport sectors to purchase and use air defense equipment to successfully resist Russian air attacks.
These air defense groups, which include employees of the enterprises, are equipped with weapons, coordinate their actions with the Ukrainian Air Force and are integrated into the overall air defense system of Ukraine.
"At this stage, several enemy drones have been intercepted over the Kharkiv region, among which there are also models of "Shahed" drones and "Zala", Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov announced on "Telegram".
The minister pointed out that these groups are at different stages of readiness, with some of them performing combat missions, while others are still undergoing training.
Fedorov did not specify which companies are participating in the program to form air defense groups.
"This is a systemic solution that allows expanding air defense capabilities without unnecessarily burdening military units on the front lines," Fedorov said.
Russia is actively using combat drones to attack Ukrainian industrial and energy facilities, with thousands of Russian drones being launched every day, most of which are intercepted by Ukraine's air defense forces.
According to Ukrainian forces, Russia is launched 164 drones against Ukraine last night, of which 150 were intercepted.