Ukraine is allowing private companies to join in air defense operations as Russian drone launches increase.
Nina Liashonok/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Ukraine's military is letting private companies join in the air defense fight as Russia bombards the country with a growing number of attack drones.Twenty-seven Ukrainian companies from across the country have already joined the first-of-its-kind initiative, an experimental program that allows them to form their own air defense units. Some of them have already logged combat missions.Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov recently told reporters during an update meeting that the number of companies applying to join the program is growing weekly. He said there's a "strong business interest in this initiative, which provides an additional means of protecting personnel and industrial capacity."The companies are at different readiness levels. Some are training personnel or receiving explosives and small arms from the Ukrainian military, while others are procuring technology such as interceptor drones, electronic warfare systems, radars, and gun turrets.Fedorov said two companies' air defense units are already conducting combat operations in the Kharkiv and Odesa regions, working in coordination with the Ukrainian Air Force.These units have shot down roughly 20 Russian one-way attack drones and reconnaissance drones, including at least one newer Shahed-type drone powered by a jet engine.
