Allies did not warn Kyiv of Russian ballistic missile strikes, says Zelenskyy
Ukrainian president’s comments on ‘particularly vile’ strikes come after US threatened to halt intelligence sharing
Ukraine received no early warning from its partners about a Russian ballistic missile strike on Kyiv in which five missiles hit civilian infrastructure, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday.
“This is precisely what helps prevent people from being killed – when there is an early warning about ballistic missiles,” he wrote on social media. He did not apportion blame for the lack of warning, calling it unfortunate.
However, speaking in Warsaw, Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, indicated that cooperation was continuing and said the lack of warning over the Kyiv attack was due to a “special type” of Russian weaponry.
He also claimed Moscow and Kyiv had agreed an “energy ceasefire”, something Zelenskyy described as “news to me”. On Tuesday Ukraine’s leader said his military had not struck Russian oil refineries or energy facilities in the two days following Trump’s Sunday announcement.
Ukrainian commanders say American intelligence is not needed to identify targets for deep strikes on Russia, with oil refineries marked on Google Maps. But they say it plays a crucial role in warning of Russian ballistic missile launches, and the takeoff of long-range bomber aircraft.
According to the Financial Times, the Trump administration has also threatened to suspend the procurement scheme under which Ukraine’s European allies buy advanced US systems, which are then sent to Kyiv, including badly needed Patriots.
On Monday Russia bombarded the city of Kharkiv, destroying a residential building. Sharing footage from the scene, Zelenskyy said four people had been killed and 41 injured. Rescuers spent the entire night searching for people trapped under the rubble, he added.
“Direct or indirect support for Russia, delaying aid to Ukraine, and complicating protection of lives from ballistics – this is what will definitely not work for peace. A strong America, a strong Europe, strong partners are needed,” he said on Tuesday.
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- Ukrainian president’s comments on ‘particularly vile’ strikes come after US threatened to halt intelligence sharing
- Ukraine received no early warning from its partners about a Russian ballistic missile strike on Kyiv in which five missiles hit civilian infrastructure, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday.
- “This is precisely what helps prevent people from being killed – when there is an early warning about ballistic missiles,” he wrote on social media. He did not apportion blame for the lack of warning, calling it unfortunate.
- However, speaking in Warsaw, Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, indicated that cooperation was continuing and said the lack of warning over the Kyiv attack was due to a “special type” of Russian weaponry.
- He also claimed Moscow and Kyiv had agreed an “energy ceasefire”, something Zelenskyy described as “news to me”. On Tuesday Ukraine’s leader said his military had not struck Russian oil refineries or energy facilities in the two days follow