The short version
- President Zelenskyy stated Ukraine received no warning from the US before Russian missiles struck Kyiv power plants on Sunday evening.
- The accusation arises amid a public dispute between Zelenskyy and President Trump, who recently waived sanctions on Russia to facilitate peace negotiations.
- US officials have cited software issues in early warning systems as a potential reason for the lack of alerts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused the United States of failing to provide warnings before Russian missile strikes hit power plants in Kyiv, reviving concerns about Washington's support for Ukraine. The allegations emerged during a period of heightened diplomatic tension between Kyiv and the Trump administration, with Zelenskyy describing the lack of intelligence sharing as a 'denial of reality.'
According to Yuri Ihnat, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, Ukraine did not receive any advance notice from its partners before a Russian missile barrage targeted power infrastructure in the capital around 11 pm on Sunday. However, Ihnat noted that a warning was received prior to a subsequent strike at 3 am. This inconsistency has fueled suspicions among Ukrainian officials that intelligence sharing may be selectively withheld.
Zelenskyy took to social media on Monday morning to express his frustration, stating, 'Once again, Russia launched a ballistic missile attack in multiple waves throughout the night, and once again, there was no warning from our partners.' He linked the lack of warnings to broader issues regarding military aid, noting that when supplies for Ukrainian air defense are blocked while Russia receives sanctions relief, it constitutes a denial of reality by partner nations.
The accusations come shortly after President Donald Trump waived a sweeping package of sanctions on Russia, arguing that the pause was necessary to keep Moscow at the bargaining table for peace negotiations. Trump criticized Zelenskyy on Truth Social, claiming the Ukrainian president does not want to end the war despite significant financial support from Europe. This public quarrel has strained relations between the two leaders and raised questions about the consistency of US policy toward Ukraine.
For years, the United States had provided Ukraine with early warnings of Russian ballistic missile launches, allowing authorities minutes to sound alarms and direct civilians to shelters. However, Ukrainian officials report that they were not warned on at least three days in the past week before missiles were launched. This departure from established practice has caused alarm among Kyiv's leadership and military commanders.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the issue while traveling in Uzbekistan, suggesting that a software problem involving Ukraine's early warning system might explain the lack of alerts. 'If it happened last night, I don't know exactly,' Rubio said. 'I know a few nights ago there was a software problem involving their early warning system.' This explanation has not been previously mentioned by US officials, leading to further speculation about the true reasons for the withheld warnings.
Reports from CBS News indicate that the strikes killed six people and cut power to approximately 600,000 residents. The damage to power facilities underscores the strategic nature of Russia's attacks, which aim to degrade Ukraine's infrastructure and resilience during the winter months. The lack of timely warnings exacerbated the impact on civilians, who had less time to prepare for the incoming missiles.
The incident highlights the complex dynamics of US-Ukraine relations under the current administration. While the US remains a key ally of Ukraine, the Trump administration's approach to sanctions and diplomacy has introduced new uncertainties. Zelenskyy's accusations reflect growing anxiety in Kyiv about the reliability of Western support as the war enters its third year.
US officials have maintained plausible deniability regarding the withholding of warnings, citing technical issues rather than political motives. However, Ukrainian leaders view the lack of intelligence sharing as a direct consequence of Washington's shifting stance on Russia. The situation remains unresolved, with both sides offering conflicting explanations for the failure to alert Kyiv.
As the conflict continues, the reliability of US support will remain a critical factor in Ukraine's ability to defend itself. The recent strikes on Kyiv serve as a stark reminder of the risks faced by Ukrainian civilians and the importance of coordinated international efforts to counter Russian aggression.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US↗US gave us no warning of Russian strikes on Kyiv power plants, Zelenskyy says
- Reuters↗Russian strikes kill three, damage dozens of power facilities
- The Guardian↗US gave us no warning of Russian strikes on Kyiv power plants, Zelenskyy says
- CBS News↗U.S. may have withheld warnings to Ukraine of Russian strikes that killed 6, cut power to 600,000, sources say
