After the full-scale invasion, anti-drone nets have become one of the basic elements of security in frontline cities - they protect people, critical infrastructure, and shelters from drone strikes.
During the period from September to November 2025, the Kherson region experienced extremely intense drone attacks - on average, about 2,700–2,900 drones attacked the region every week. These attacks killed about 30 civilians, including children, and injured more than 350 residents of the region. In particular, in October, Russian attacks led to 23 deaths and more than 214 injuries.
Therefore, for Kherson, such purchases of anti-drone nets are a matter not only of defense capability, but also of trust in how local authorities manage a limited wartime budget.
Monitoring of public procurements showed that the Department of Civil Protection and Defense Work of the Kherson Regional State Administration concluded at least two large contracts for the purchase of anti-drone nets without using competitive procedures.
These are:
1. Contract with individual entrepreneur Maryna Andriievska for 120 thousand sq. m of polypropylene fabric 50×50 mm at UAH 40.25 per sq. m (contract No. 51 dated 16/07/2025, procurement
UA-2025-07-17- 010745-a) for a total amount of UAH 4,830,000.
2. Contract with individual entrepreneur Oleksandr Chorniavsky for various types of nets with a price from UAH 21 to UAH 84 per sq. m. (No. 55 dated 16/07/2025 (UA-2025-07-18-003863-a)) for a total amount of UAH 5,104,000.
Download the interactive report at the link.
What do market prices look like
1. Comparison with open online offers shows the following: a similar polypropylene anti-drone net, which was purchased from individual entrepreneur Andriievska for UAH 40.25 (50×50 mm, cord 1.8 mm), is sold at approximately UAH 28 per sq. m, and polypropylene 100×100 mm - about UAH 15 per square meter.
When comparing with other tender offers outside the Kherson region, it was found that, for example, the Municipal enterprise "Electrical Networks of Outdoor Lighting "Misksvitlo"" in October of this year (procurement UA-2025-10-21-010109-a) in the city of Kramatorsk, the Donetsk region, which is in a similar security situation, purchased the same product, but at a lower price, namely UAH 23.6 excluding VAT per 1 square meter.
Also, in September 2025, the Municipal enterprise "Electrical Networks of Outdoor Lighting "Misksvitlo" (procurement UA-2025-08-19-008222-a) purchased the same net, already for UAH 28 excluding VAT per 1 square meter.
Another comparison: in August 2025, the Municipal enterprise "Enterprise of Electric Networks of Outdoor Lighting "Misksvitlo", located in the city of Druzhkivka, the Donetsk region, purchased a similar product for UAH 28.55 per 1 square meter.
2. Regarding the contract with individual entrepreneur Chorniavsky Oleksandr No. 55 dated 16/-7/2025 (UA-2025-07-18-003863-a), on the purchase of goods:
- Net PP with a mesh of 100x100, f1.8 mm, black - 140,000 square meters for 21 UAH/square meter. excluding VAT;
- Net PP with a mesh of 25x25, f1.8 mm, black - 21,000 square meters for 84 UAH/sq m. excluding VAT;
- Net PA with a mesh of 50x50 ф1.2 mm black - 10,000 sq m. for 40 UAH/square meters excluding VAT,
we found the following comparisons.
For example, the Department of Public Utilities (procurement UA-2025-07-18-004864-a), which is located in the city of Kostiantynivka, the Donetsk region, purchased a net PP with a mesh of 100x100 mm, a diameter of 1.8 mm, diamond-shaped, black for UAH 12.5 excluding VAT (UAH 15 with VAT) per 1 square meter.
On the website https://supersitka.com, a polypropylene anti-drone net, 100x100 mm, with a 1.8 mm cord, black, is sold for UAH 15 per square meter. A polyamide anti-drone net, 50x50 mm, with a 1.2 mm thread, is sold for UAH 28 per square meter.
How much could the region save
Calculations based on market and comparative prices indicate that about UAH 1.47 million was overpaid in favor of the individual entrepreneur Andriievska, and at least UAH 960 thousand in favor of the individual entrepreneur Chorniavsky, because there is either no information about the polypropylene net 25x25, cord 1.8, in the public domain, or it is made to order.
It appears that the Department deliberately selected predetermined entrepreneurs and did not focus on actual market prices, resulting in an overestimation of the cost of the nets by approximately 40%.
For the front-line region, this means direct budget losses that could have been spent on additional protection, and at the same time undermines trust in the authorities responsible for the safety of citizens.
As a reminder, we have prepared a practical guide for residents that allows you to effectively monitor procurement in your community. The steps are straightforward and useful, as they directly contribute to increasing transparency and enhancing the quality of the process.
This material has been produced with the support of the European Endowment for Democracy (EED). Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of EED. Responsibility for the information and views expressed in this publication lies entirely with the author(s).
