{
  "id": 16761707,
  "title": "Postal service Nova Post says it has already shot down Russian Shahed drones, as Ukrainian businesses take air defense into their own hands",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/postal-service-nova-post-says-it-has-already-shot-down-russian-shahed",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-27T15:48:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euromaidan Press",
    "slug": "euromaidan-press",
    "url": "https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/10/27/nova-post-says-its-private-air-defense-has-shot-down-russian-shahed-drones/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nova Post, a Ukrainian postal company, has independently established a private air defense system and has already successfully intercepted Russian Shahed attack drones, according to co-owner Viacheslav Klymov, who spoke at the 12th Kyiv International Economic Forum on 27 October, reported Interfax-Ukraine. As Russia targets Ukrainian facilities with increasing frequency, localized air defense has become crucial. Klymov emphasized that the company is among a limited number of businesses implementing this project, though he chose not to disclose specific numbers.\n\nNova Post employees have been extinguishing fires caused by Russian attacks on the company's facilities without waiting for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (DSNS), Klymov also noted. Large businesses are also seeking to bolster their fire-fighting capabilities by acquiring European fire engines to establish self-sufficient firefighting units.\n\nThe Ukrainian government approved a framework in November 2025 that permits private companies to create air defense units, which operate under Air Force command with the military coordinating their missions and integrating them into the national air defense network. Approximately 100 companies have joined the experimental program, resulting in about 50 air defense groups that have carried out combat missions. As of 14 October, these groups had downed over 60 aerial targets, primarily Russian drones, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.\n\nThe program enables participating businesses to defend industrial sites and critical infrastructure using equipment, such as interceptor drones and remotely operated heavy machine guns. This approach provides additional protection without requiring the military to equip every facility with its own units. The demand for such protection has escalated due to Russia's persistent launches of long-range attack drones against civilian and industrial targets throughout Ukraine.\n\nWhile localized air defense assists in safeguarding specific sites and alleviating the burden on military units, it remains an integral part of the coordinated national system rather than an independent alternative to military air defense. Some businesses, like pharmaceutical company Darnytsia, have opted against deploying private air defense due to concerns about the evolving threat landscape and the potential costs of continuous upgrades. Instead, Darnytsia is focusing on attack monitoring, employee shelters, and safety protocols.",
  "summary": "The company says its air defense project is operational as Russia increasingly targets Ukrainian infrastructure, while other businesses weigh the costs and benefits of protecting their facilities themselves.",
  "key_points": [
    "Nova Post, a Ukrainian postal company, intercepted Russian Shahed drones.",
    "Company employees extinguished fires without State Emergency Service assistance.",
    "Over 60 aerial targets, mostly Russian drones, downed by private air defense groups."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}