Ukrainian officials claim that a lack of reliable warnings from the United States regarding Russian missile strikes has resulted in civilian deaths. Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky, stated that without adequate alerts, many lives have been lost. He emphasised the urgency of timely information, noting, “People have already died.”
The White House has insisted that intelligence sharing with Ukraine remains unchanged. Last week, reports surfaced about interruptions in US intelligence, coinciding with a diplomatic spat related to Russian oil imports.
Zelensky reported on social media that two missile strikes hit Kyiv overnight, with one coming without warning and the other allowing only a brief window for residents to seek shelter. In an NBC interview, he acknowledged the resumption of intelligence sharing but expressed concern about its reliability, saying it was often “incomplete and inconsistent.”
Beskrestnov echoed these sentiments, pointing out that alerts sometimes arrive too late—once just a minute before an attack. He also noted ongoing limitations on Ukraine’s use of the Starlink satellite internet service, which hampers military operations and communications.
The connectivity speed for mobile units using Starlink’s Starshield has been restricted, affecting Ukraine’s capacity to intercept drones and conduct counter-attacks. Starlink’s owner, Elon Musk, indicated that the US government controls access to Starshield, leading to speculation about its role in the limitations.
Beskrestnov suggested that the simultaneous issues may be deliberately pressuring Ukraine into negotiations with Russia, stating, “It’s probably the United States trying to say, ‘let’s have a conversation.'”
Ukrainian officials are exploring alternative communication systems to mitigate these issues. Beskrestnov warned, “We should be prepared for some problems in the future,” as Ukraine anticipates potential disruptions to Starlink services.
Meanwhile, tensions continue, as Russian attacks resulted in multiple civilian casualties, including the deaths of a toddler and an 11-year-old girl in a drone strike in the Kharkiv region. Zelensky condemned the assault as an “absolute atrocity.”
