Ukraine’s private air defense group downs jet-powered Shahed drone for the first time
A private air defense group in Kharkiv Oblast has for the first time downed a Russian jet-powered Shahed drone traveling at more than 400 km/h, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said.
The official described the work of private air defense groups as one element of Ukraine’s multi-layered air defense system, designed to strengthen protection against aerial attacks without placing additional burden on combat units.
“This is a new level of complexity: the enemy is scaling up the use of jet-powered drones, which are faster and more difficult to intercept,” he added.
Currently, private air defense groups are being formed at 19 enterprises across Ukraine. They will be integrated into the unified command system of the Air Force and operate as part of the overall air defense architecture.
Private air defense systems
The initiative stems from government changes made in early March to an experimental project allowing critical infrastructure enterprises to create their own air defense units.
The Air Force Command can temporarily transfer unused air defense systems and munitions to these enterprises, with replenishment handled through a simplified procedure based on actual expenditure reports. Personnel must undergo training and certification.
One company in Kharkiv Oblast has already prepared its own air defense group under the program.
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