The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has expanded the participation of local communities in the national air defense system. Local self-government bodies will now be able to directly finance air defense groups within volunteer formations of territorial communities (VFTCs). Furthermore, the mechanism of additional remuneration for shooting down aerial targets has also been officially regulated. This is reported by Dengi.ua with a link to Yulia Svyrydenko.
How Communities Now Participate in the Air Defense System
The government has adopted amendments to the pilot project on the creation of air defense groups as part of volunteer formations of territorial communities, which has been implemented since June 2025. The key changes include:
- Local self-government bodies are officially joining the project.
- Communities may directly fund volunteer air defense units.
- The mechanism of additional remuneration for the participants of the VFTC groups is now fully regulated.
What Communities Can Spend Funds On for Air Defense Groups
Communities can now allocate their local budgets across four main areas:
- Payment of remuneration to members of air defense teams.
- Procurement of specialized equipment.
- Purchase of fuel.
- Procurement of unmanned systems and other essential support for the teams.
How Rewards Will Be Paid for the Destruction of Aerial Targets
A separate and important innovation is the introduction of additional remuneration for members of air defense teams. Payment is issued strictly for the confirmed hit or destruction of an aerial target—meaning it is tied to a specific, verifiable result of the group's combat work. This is intended to incentivize the effectiveness of volunteer formations and increase the motivation of their participants.
Who Coordinates the Work of Air Defense Groups of Territorial Communities
The changes do not envisage the creation of a separate, parallel military structure. The air defense groups of territorial communities will operate within a unified system alongside the regular army. Strategic coordination and operational management of these groups are carried out by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). Members of these groups perform their duties in strict accordance with AFU military charters.
What the Changes Deliver for the Protection of Critical Infrastructure
According to the government's assessment, the new regulations will allow local communities to:
- Respond more rapidly to airborne threats.
- Strengthen the localized protection of critical infrastructure.
- Achieve these goals without placing an additional strain on regular AFU combat units.
