Resolution No. 699: Legal Framework for Strengthening Ukraine’s Air Defense Through Volunteer-Based Groups
Photo credit: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
By Nataliia Nikitina, MilTech Advisor – Trident Group Ukraine LLC
Resolution No. 699 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
“On the Implementation of the Experimental Project for Strengthening the Air Defense of the Territory of Ukraine by Engaging Air Defense Groups”
- Adopted: June 11, 2025
- Entered into force: June 19, 2025
- Signed by: Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal
As amended by: Resolution No. 277 of March 2, 2026
“On Amendments to the Procedure for the Implementation of the Experimental Project for Strengthening the Air Defense of the Territory of Ukraine by Engaging Air Defense Groups”
- Amendments entered into force: March 6, 2026
1. Purpose and Scope
The Resolution establishes the legal framework for an experimental project aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s air defense through the engagement of volunteer-based air defense groups.
The project applies across the entire territory of Ukraine, excluding areas of active hostilities and temporarily occupied territories.
The initiative was proposed by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
2. Duration
The project is implemented for the duration of martial law, but not exceeding two years from the date of entry into force (i.e., until June 19, 2027).
The Ministry of Defense is required to submit a final report to the Cabinet of Ministers within two months following the project’s completion, including proposals for legislative amendments where appropriate.
3. Structure and Formation of Air Defense Groups
Air defense groups are formed on a territorial basis within the framework of Voluntary Formations of Territorial Communities (DFTG).
Original framework (June 2025):
The authority to initiate the creation of air defense groups was vested in heads of military administrations.
Amended framework (March 2026):
- Initiation authority has been expanded to include:
- Heads of military administrations;
- Commanders of Voluntary Formations of Territorial Communities (DFTG);
- Commanders of Territorial Defense Forces units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine supervising the respective formations.
Additionally, the requirement for mandatory involvement of the head of the military administration in appointing group commanders has been removed, simplifying the formation process.
4. Eligibility Requirements
General criteria
Membership is limited to Ukrainian citizens not subject to mobilization under Article 23 of the Law of Ukraine “On Mobilization Preparation and Mobilization.”
Amendments (March 2026)
Members of DFTG with a valid deferral from conscription are now eligible to participate.
All participants must complete mandatory specialized training and obtain relevant certification.
Qualification requirements
- UAV operators (external pilots):
Must hold a certified external pilot certificate issued by a Ministry of Defense–accredited training institution.
A 45-day grace period allows certification to be completed after contract signing.
- Sappers:
Must complete training at institutions under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Defense, or the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
- Piloted aircraft units:
Only qualified personnel with documented authorization to operate or service aircraft may be included.
5. Personnel Composition (March 2026 Amendment)
Military personnel of the Territorial Defense Forces may be temporarily attached to air defense groups, enhancing operational flexibility and unit staffing.
6. Chain of Command and Integration
Air defense groups operate within a dual subordination structure:
- Territorially: under commanders of Territorial Defense Forces units;
- Operationally (air defense missions): under the Command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
These groups function as an integral component of the national air defense system, with operational planning and command authority centralized within the Air Force.
7. Contractual Protections
Volunteer contracts include a mandatory clause prohibiting deployment beyond air defense tasks, ensuring that personnel cannot be reassigned to unrelated combat roles.
8. Means of Air Defense
Authorized means for engaging aerial threats include:
- Strike unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs/drones);
- Piloted (manned) aircraft.
Photo credit: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
All aircraft used within the project receive temporary registration numbers assigned by the Ministry of Defense and recorded in a dedicated registry.
9. Compensation
Participants receive compensation from local budgets of up to UAH 100,000 per month, calculated proportionally to time spent on air defense duties.
Payments are authorized by Territorial Defense Forces commanders based on requests from community formation leaders.
Duty records are maintained at the group level.
10. Social Protections
In the event of death during air defense duties:
- Families are entitled to a one-time financial payment under the Law of Ukraine “On the Status of War Veterans and Guarantees of Their Social Protection”;
- Pension benefits are provided in accordance with applicable legislation;
- Additional compensation may be granted under wartime payment regulations (Resolution of February 28, 2022).
11. Reporting Requirements
Group-level reporting
- Monthly reports must include:
- Personnel composition;
- Number of duty shifts;
- Recorded aerial threats;
- Means employed;
- Operational outcomes.
Reports are submitted to the relevant Territorial Defense Forces unit.
Ministry-level reporting
The Ministry of Defense must submit a comprehensive final report to the Cabinet of Ministers within two months of project completion, including recommendations for legislative adjustments.
Conclusion
Resolution No. 699, as amended in March 2026, establishes a structured and legally grounded model for integrating volunteer-based capabilities into Ukraine’s national air defense system.
The framework enhances flexibility, standardization, and operational scalability, while maintaining centralized command and clear legal safeguards—reflecting a broader transition toward distributed, network-centric defense architectures under formal governance.
Legislative Sources & Official Documents:
- The Law of Ukraine “On the Fundamentals of National Resistance” (regarding territorial defense)
- The Law of Ukraine “On Mobilization Preparation and Mobilization” (Article 23 — mobilization exemptions)
- The Resolution “On Certain Payments to Military Servicepersons and Their Families During Martial Law” (No. [unnumbered], February 28, 2022)
- A separate parallel resolution (No. 290, March 2, 2026) governs the involvement of enterprises (regardless of ownership form) in creating air defense groups, including provisions for temporary transfer of weapons from Armed Forces stockpiles to enterprise-based groups
