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Zelenskyy says Ukraine got no early warning from partners as Russia hits the power grid again

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World Desk

In Short: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused his international partners of failing to provide early warning before Russian missile strikes hit Kyiv, leaving over half a million people without power.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Wikidata P18)
Photo: Press Service of the President of Ukraine / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused his international partners of failing to provide early warning before Russian missile strikes hit Kyiv, leaving over half a million people without power. According to Zelenskyy, Russia launched 16 ballistic missiles, targeting Ukraine's energy facilities, with 10 of them hitting their targets.

Zelenskyy noted that Kyiv received no early warning from partner countries, a claim echoed by multiple international news outlets. The attacks damaged more than 10 energy infrastructure facilities, leaving more than half a million people without power, heat, and running water.

Petty Officer 1st Class Madison Cassidy / Regional Media Center AFN Europe / DVIDS (250109-N-YF131-1229) — public domain dvidshub.net

The Guardian reported that Zelenskyy accused Washington of 'denial of reality' in an ongoing row with former U.S. President Donald Trump over apparent support for Moscow. Zelenskyy stated, “When the supply of missiles for Ukrainian air defence is blocked, and Russia receives sanctions relief or delays, it is, unfortunately, a denial of reality on the part of our partners.”

Türkiye Today reported that Zelenskyy said, “They again targeted energy facilities and infrastructure, but a medical clinic, a school, a metro station, and ordinary residential buildings were also damaged.” He emphasized that advance intelligence is critical to saving civilian lives given the extremely short flight time of the missiles.

Zelenskyy also noted that Russia launched more than 200 drones of various types, including jet-powered Shaheds, according to RBC-Ukraine. He added that the attacks killed at least one person and wounded 41 others in Kharkiv.

Zelenskyy urged support for new U.S. sanctions on Russia that were put on hold by Trump. He also highlighted that limits on Ukraine's use of the military-grade version of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service have choked Ukrainian drone operations.

Zelenskyy said Russia had attacked Ukraine with more than 100 weapons since Monday evening, according to CBS News. He added that Russia launched more than 39 ballistic missiles and more than 120 attack drones and loitering munitions during the overnight attack, primarily targeting energy and critical infrastructure in Kyiv and Kharkiv.

Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of early warnings in preventing civilian casualties. He stated, “This is precisely what helps prevent people from being killed — when there is an early warning about ballistic missiles.”

Asked whether Ukraine received an explanation for the lack of intelligence ahead of the overnight missile strikes, a senior Ukrainian official said it was described as a ‘failure,’ suggesting it was the result of circumstances such as weather conditions rather than a deliberate decision.

Zelenskyy did not specify which partners he was talking about, but he stressed that the lack of early warning was a significant issue. He said, “It is important that the world does not stay silent about this.”

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