Private Ukrainian air defense shoots down jet-powered Shahed
In Kharkiv Oblast, private air defense shot down a Shahed jet fighter for the first time (Photo: Video screenshot / Ministry of Defense of Ukraine)
Mykhailo Fedorov said private air defense units in Ukraine for the first time shot down a Russian jet-powered Shahed drone flying at over 400 km/h on Apr. 17.
The downing of a jet-powered UAV was recorded in Kharkiv Oblast.
“This is a new level of complexity: the enemy is scaling up the use of jet drones — faster and more difficult to intercept. On the president’s instruction, we are systematically building a multi-layered air defense system and strengthening protection of the skies,” Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov wrote on Telegram.
He added that private air defense groups are reinforcing the protection of critical infrastructure without placing additional strain on combat units. In total, private air defense units are being formed at 19 enterprises across Ukraine and are integrated into the unified command system of the Air Force.
In November 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers approved an experimental framework allowing companies to participate in the formation of air defense units.
On March 30, 2026, Fedorov reported the first results of private air defense operations, saying several enemy drones had been shot down in Kharkiv Oblast, including Shahed and Zala UAVs.
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