UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Mar. 30 — The first Ukrainian air defense unit formed by a private company as an experimental project of the Ukrainian army began its operations in the Kharkiv oblast, reported Myhailo Fedorov, the Minister of Defence of Ukraine.

According to the Minister, private air defence is integrated into the unified system of the Ukrainian Air Forces. Fedorov added that this private unit already participates in the interception of Russian Shahed drones.

“We created the model, where the government, military, and business work as one system,” said Fedorov.

In the Kharkiv region, the private unit has downed Russian drones, including Shahed and reconnaissance drone Zala. 

At the same time, at 13 other companies that the Ministry of Defense has granted the status of authorized business units, the formation of new air defense units is underway.

At the same time, 13 other companies authorized by the Ministry of Defence are forming new air defence units. 

“Some units are already conducting combat missions, others are in training, and the rest are completing their training and will soon join the Ukrainian air defense forces,” said Fedorov.

In March, the effectiveness of destroying Russian drones rose to 55% compared to February. Ukrainian forces shot down at least 2,300 Russian drones over the course of the month, said Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Forces.

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