Zelenskiy says Ukraine received no advance warning of Russian ballistic missile strike
Russia’s overnight assault killed three people and cut electricity to more than half a million households, as Zelenskiy criticised partners over intelligence and air defence support.
Kyiv, Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine’s partners had provided no advance warning of an overnight Russian ballistic missile strike, as Moscow carried out one of its most extensive aerial assaults in months. The attacks left more than 500,000 households without electricity and killed three people, according to officials.
Missiles and drones hit across Ukraine
Russia launched 16 ballistic missiles against Kyiv and its surrounding region, alongside over 200 drones targeting locations across Ukraine. The assault extended from the eastern cities of Kharkiv and Dnipro to southern Odesa and the western regions of Volyn and Rivne.
Zelenskiy reported damage to more than 10 energy facilities. Officials said one woman died in Kyiv, while another two people were killed in Kryvyi Rih, an industrial city.
Air force reports warning before second attack
Writing on Telegram, Zelenskiy said the overnight ballistic missile assault had unfolded in several waves and that partners had again failed to provide early warning.
Ukrainian air force spokesman Yurii Ihnat said no warning had reached Kyiv before the first overnight ballistic missile strike, although information was supplied before a second attack.
Speaking to Ukrainian television, Ihnat said experts were investigating the initial absence of information with Ukraine’s partners. He added that similar failures had occurred before.
During the war, now lasting nearly five years, Ukraine has depended on intelligence from the United States to identify Russian ballistic missile launches and warn of approaching attacks.
Dispute over US cooperation
The criticism comes as tensions grow between Zelenskiy and President Donald Trump’s administration over American assistance to Ukraine and Washington’s policy towards Russia.
Zelenskiy argued that partners were failing to recognise reality when they blocked deliveries of air defence missiles to Ukraine while allowing Russia sanctions relief or postponements.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected claims that Washington had suspended some intelligence sharing with Ukraine. His denial contradicted Zelenskiy’s account that the United States had temporarily restricted that cooperation.
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