How volunteers can join air defence groups: the Ministry of Defence published instructions

How volunteers can join air defence groups: the Ministry of Defence published instructions

The Ministry of Defence explained how volunteers who wish to become part of the air defense groups of Territorial Defence Formations (TDF) can join this initiative.

On July 10, this was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

“On June 11, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the implementation of an experimental project to create air defense groups (ADG) within the territorial defence formations (TDF). The purpose of the project is to strengthen air defense capabilities by involving trained and motivated citizens in air defense tasks amidst growing enemy activity,” the statement said.

Where volunteers should apply

Potential volunteers should contact the commander of the territorial community’s volunteer formation (TDF) at their place of residence. If no TDF exists, they can approach the local military administration with the initiative to establish one together with the military units of the Territorial Defence Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Candidate requirements

To join the air defense group, one must be a member of the TDF and have a properly executed contract as a member of the territorial community’s volunteer formation.

A member of the volunteer formation can be a citizen of Ukraine aged 18 or older, residing in the community territory where the volunteer formation operates, who has passed medical, professional, and psychological selection (check) and signed a territorial defense volunteer contract. At the same time, only citizens who are not subject to mobilization under Article 23 of the Law of Ukraine "On Mobilization Preparation and Mobilization" can be members of the air defense groups.

Candidates for positions as external pilots (operators) of UAVs must possess an external pilot certificate issued according to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 1129 of October 1, 2024. This requirement does not apply during the first 45 days from the start of the experimental project, allowing volunteers to first sign a contract and then undergo specialized training in certified schools.

Candidates joining ADG who will use piloted aircraft must meet established qualification requirements and have documents confirming their right to perform functions related to piloting and/or servicing relevant aircraft. Members of the crewmember of a piloted aircraft are appointed by the commander of the air defense group with the consent of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Signing a TDF volunteer contract – ADG participant

To join the air defense groups, a volunteer must first become a member of the TDF. A  TDF volunteer contract is concluded. The term of such a contract is 3 years.

Once a person has been included in the air defense group, a clause prohibiting sending this person to perform combat or other tasks, except for implementing air defense measures, is added to the territorial defense volunteer contract.

Procedure for signing a TDF volunteer contract:

1. Application submission. A person wishing to become a member of the volunteer formation submits an application to the commander of the volunteer formation. The application specifies: surname and first name, information on residence registration, education, place of work or type of activity, military specialty (if any), reasoning for wishing to join the volunteer formation.
2. Verification and selection. The candidate undergoes medical, professional, and psychological selection (check).
3. Contract signing. Upon the decision of the volunteer formation commander to enroll the individual as a member, a territorial defense volunteer contract is signed with the person. The contract is drawn up in the form approved by the Order of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine No. 84 dated 07.03.2022.
4. Oath taking. After signing the contract, the volunteer takes the Territorial Defence Volunteer Oath.
5. Issuance of membership certificate. After completing all procedures, a membership certificate of the established form is issued to the volunteer within 30 days.

Documents required for signing the TDF volunteer contract:

• application for membership in the volunteer formation
• copy of the identity document (passport of a citizen of Ukraine)
• copy of the military registration document (mandatory for men and if available for women)
• copy of the Tax Identification Number (TIN)
• documents supporting deferment of military service during mobilization (if joining a person who is not subject to mobilization).

Financial support and social guarantees for ADG participants

ADG participants are entitled to an additional reward of 100,000 UAH per month. The payment is made proportionally to the time spent participating in air defense events, meaning this is not a fixed monthly amount but rather a calculation based on duty days.

Social protection guarantees apply to members of air defense groups participating in activities necessary to ensure Ukraine’s defense, protect the security of the population, and the state’s interests due to the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, as stipulated in Article 119 of the Labor Code of Ukraine, particularly regarding the preservation of workplace and position.