Ukraine Reports No Warning Prior to Recent Russian Missile Strike on Kyiv

KYIV — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Tuesday that the Ukrainian capital was caught off guard by a recent attack, which involved over 100 drones and five ballistic missiles. "Intelligence on Russian ballistic missile launches helps save lives, and this is one of the most critical issues. This is precisely what helps prevent people from being killed — when there is an early warning about ballistic missiles," Zelenskyy said. He added, "Regarding this strike, unfortunately, there was no warning from partners." Following another missile strike in Kyiv on Tuesday evening, he expressed on X: "Once again, no early warning from our partners." Typically, Kyiv receives alerts about impending Russian missile launches through the Battlespace Command and Control Center system, which is operated by the U.S. military and NATO members. However, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha mentioned at the Warsaw Security Forum that intelligence sharing through this platform is ongoing. An official familiar with the matter indicated that the Americans attributed the lack of warning to bad weather conditions, a reason that is viewed as inadequate in Kyiv. Concerns are rising that this may not have been the only factor. The missile warning system has experienced malfunctions in the past. Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ignat noted, "At times this information doesn’t get through. This isn’t the first instance... If there were specific technical issues this time, I think the specialists will sort it out. And they will resolve this problem together with our partners." Reports indicated that the U.S. threatened to cut intelligence sharing last week if Kyiv did not cease strikes on Russian oil refineries. Zelenskyy did not confirm this threat publicly but acknowledged a reduction in such strikes. "Ukraine has not carried out strikes on Russian oil refineries or the energy sector in general for the two days since the American President announced an energy ceasefire. But Russia did not heed the American President," he stated, urging the U.S. to lead peace negotiations. Zelenskyy added, "The Russians have attacked both our energy facilities and our critical infrastructure, sending absolutely clear signals that they have no intention of refraining from strikes on Ukraine. Nineteen regions of our country have come under attack in these two days alone." U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Monday that both Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an energy ceasefire, stating, "and if it was violated, they both violated it." He expressed that Putin wants to make a deal and emphasized the need for Zelenskyy to also desire a resolution. During a press briefing on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia did not confirm whether the U.S. had stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine, stating, "I’ll have to get back to you on that." Later, President Trump asserted that the U.S. has not ceased intelligence sharing, saying, "But we are really helping them get to a final answer. We want the war to end." He reiterated his role in facilitating negotiations between Putin and Zelenskyy, noting the existing animosity between the two leaders. Russia has not commented on the missile strikes but issued a general statement indicating it targeted military and weapons production facilities across Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov remarked on Monday that Zelenskyy did not deserve a pause in fighting in response to the energy ceasefire, stating, "I don’t think that he deserves a break. I don’t think that we will buy assurances and promises again." This article was updated on Oct. 13 with comments from the White House and Donald Trump, and on Oct. 14 with details of another missile strike on Kyiv. Elleiana Green and Casey He contributed reporting.