Zelensky says allies again failed to warn him
Trump says the United States will continue sharing intelligence with Kyiv, but no explanation for the delay has been given.
Follow-up to: Zelensky had no warning of Russian missile attack on Kyiv Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 14:59
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President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine once again received no timely warning from partners about Russian missiles heading towards Kyiv. President Donald Trump, by contrast, says Washington will continue sharing intelligence with Ukraine.
Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ukraine had received no early warning of a Russian attack involving five ballistic missiles on Kyiv. Later, he again reported that no warning had been given of further strikes, putting the issue centre stage for the second night in a row.
An earlier report had already established that, after a Russian missile attack, Kyiv said it had received no warning from partners. Since then, the conflict has become more politically charged: Trump has put pressure on Ukraine to stop attacks on Russian refineries and says that the United States is working at the same time to bring the war to an end.
Trump denies that US intelligence support has stopped. He told reporters that the US continues to help Ukraine and share intelligence. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha likewise said that Kyiv was still receiving US military intelligence.
That still does not establish why the warning failed to arrive. Reuters reported that Sybiha pointed to the type of weapon as a possible explanation. According to AP, a Ukrainian official referred to an operational error and cited weather conditions as a possible factor. That explanation has not been independently confirmed.
The US warnings are important to Ukraine because ballistic missiles have a short flight time. US systems can detect Russian launches at an early stage; Ukrainian authorities use such information, among other things, for air-raid alerts and the deployment of air defence.
The issue is unfolding against the backdrop of an energy ceasefire announced by Trump. Ukraine says it has not attacked Russian refineries or other energy infrastructure since then. That claim could not be fully independently verified. Russia has not confirmed the existence of a formal agreement.
For Kyiv, the debate is therefore not only about one missed warning, but also about the reliability of the US security guarantee. For Washington, the emphasis is on ending the war and limiting Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. As long as technical and political explanations coexist, it remains unclear whether the delay was an error or connected to changed arrangements.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Zelensky says Ukraine once again received no timely warning of Russian missiles.
- Trump says the US continues to share intelligence with Ukraine.
- Ukrainian and US statements provide no clear-cut cause for the missed warning.
Left
Arguments Security support must not be used to pressure Ukraine into making political concessions. Reliable warnings are essential for civilians and allies.
Values Protection of civilians, international solidarity and Ukrainian self-determination.
Consequences Conditional support could weaken confidence in the US and deterrence towards Russia.
Centre
Arguments The statements should be investigated technically and independently before political conclusions are drawn. At the same time, intelligence channels must remain open and diplomacy must limit escalation.
Values Factual scrutiny, institutional continuity and allied stability.
Consequences An investigation could clarify misunderstandings, but it takes time while the military threat continues.
Right
Arguments Dependence on US warnings shows that European countries must strengthen their own intelligence and air-defence capabilities. US support may also have conditions if those are intended to compel negotiations.
Values Deterrence, national responsibility and the effectiveness of military support.
Consequences Greater European capacity increases self-reliance, but conditions on support could make Ukraine’s defence more difficult in the short term.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The contradictory public statements have been confirmed by AP and Reuters and carefully attributed. The possible technical cause is explicitly presented as unconfirmed.
- confirmed Zelensky said that Ukraine received no early warning of Russian ballistic missiles heading towards Kyiv. — AP and Reuters report this statement. source
- confirmed Trump said that the United States would continue sharing intelligence with Ukraine. — The statement was reported by AP and Reuters. source
- confirmed Ukraine’s Foreign Minister said that Kyiv was still receiving US military intelligence. — Reuters writes this on the basis of a statement by Andrii Sybiha. source
- uncertain A possible explanation is the type of weapon or an operational error. — These explanations came from Ukrainian officials, one of whom spoke anonymously; independent confirmation is lacking. source
- confirmed Russia has not formally confirmed the announced energy ceasefire. — AP reports that the Kremlin only said that contacts were continuing. source
Editor's note
The public statements by Zelensky, Trump and Sybiha are certain. It remains uncertain why the warning failed to arrive; a link to US pressure has not been proved.Sources
- Zelenskyy says Ukraine received no intelligence from partners about missiles headed to Kyiv — The Associated Press
- Allies gave Ukraine no warning of impending missile attack, Zelenskiy says — Reuters via MarketScreener
The story so far
- Friday, 9 October 2026, 21:44 Trump announces 300,000-tonne Russian diesel deal
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 06:48 US temporarily make Russian diesel tradable again
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 10:45 Deadly attack puts Trump's diesel deal under pressure
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 20:45 Trump calls for new president of Ukraine
- Saturday, 10 October 2026, 22:48 British prime minister promises Zelensky support after Trump criticism
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 14:57 Zelensky offers to halt refinery attacks in return for Russian move
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 19:28 Trump announces energy ceasefire, Kyiv does not confirm agreement
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 20:28 Trump announces energy ceasefire, attacks continue
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 21:02 Attack on power station immediately puts Trump’s energy truce under pressure
- Sunday, 11 October 2026, 22:27 Russian attacks put energy truce under immediate pressure
- Monday, 12 October 2026, 12:59 Kremlin does not confirm Trump's energy ceasefire
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 14:59 Zelensky had no warning of Russian missile attack on Kyiv
- Tuesday, 13 October 2026, 23:28 Zelensky says allies again failed to warn him (this article)