Zelensky: Allies Again Gave Ukraine No Warning of Russian Missile Strike

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that Ukraine once more received no advance warning from its allies about Russian ballistic missile attacks aimed at energy facilities in the Kyiv region. Such warnings matter because they allow air defences to be prepared in time, and this is the second time in a short period that Kyiv has complained about their absence.

Scale of the attack

Zelensky said Russia launched more than 200 drones at Ukraine overnight and fired 16 ballistic missiles at the Kyiv region. In a social media post he wrote that the attack came in several waves and that, once again, partners gave no warning. Last week Kyiv also reported that it had received no warning from the United States about similar attacks.

The US position

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday denied that intelligence sharing with Ukraine had been suspended and urged Zelensky to focus on ending the war that Russia started.

US President Donald Trump, who has struck a deal with Russia to secure fuel exports in exchange for sanctions relief, has repeatedly criticised Zelensky in recent days. On Sunday he wrote on his Truth Social platform that he was making great progress in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, but that Zelensky did not care. Trump claimed the Ukrainian leader does not want to end the war and most likely never has.

Zelensky's response

Zelensky rejected Trump's claims in his post, saying Ukraine has never wanted this war and has welcomed literally every attempt by partners to end it with dignity. According to him, Russia's reply has repeatedly been ballistic missiles, Shahed drones and killings.

Zelensky added that when missile deliveries for Ukraine's air defence are blocked while Russia is granted sanctions relief or postponements, it is, unfortunately, a denial of reality on the part of partners.