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

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.
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.”
What's confirmed
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram that Russia had launched 16 ballistic missiles, targeting Ukraine's energy facilities, 10 of which were hit, cutting power to some 550,000 households.
- Zelenskyy is grappling with recent Washington moves benefiting Russian President Vladimir Putin, including waiving U.S. sanctions on Moscow and signing a deal to import diesel from Moscow.
- He noted Monday that Kyiv received no early warning from partner countries.
- The attacks damaged over 10 energy facilities, leaving more than half a million people without power, heat and running water.
- Hanna Arhirova, Associated Press Hanna Arhirova, Associated Press Justin Spike, Associated Press Justin Spike, Associated Press KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine received no early warning from its partners about five Russian ballistic missiles that hit civilian infrastructure in the capital of Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday, as tensions rise between the Ukrainian leader and U.S. President Donald Trump.
- In addition to the four deaths in the apartment building in Kharkiv, 41 people were wounded in the city in one evening alone, Zelenskyy said.
- "This is precisely what helps prevent people from being killed — when there is an early warning about ballistic missiles,” he wrote.
- Zelenskyy said Russia had attacked Ukraine with more than 100 weapons since Monday evening.
- 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.
- Russia's war in Ukraine has not seen major shifts on the ground since last year, but Ukraine is struggling to fend off Moscow's intensified aerial attacks that include speedy ballistic missiles and high-flying jet-powered drones.
- “We want the war to end, so we’re working with them and with Russia on getting the war to end."
- Zelenskyy did not specify which partners he was talking about.
What's still developing
- Canada is providing approximately C$350 million for air defense interceptors for Ukraine as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Mark Carney met in Calgary on September 10, with Kyiv preparing for another winter of Russian missile and drone attacks.
- Ukraine said in early September that it was accelerating development of high-speed interceptors designed specifically to counter jet-powered Shahed-type attack drones.
- “It is a pity we are losing … a strong partner,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalist Piers Morgan, speaking of the US.
- The leaders signed an agreement to work toward a “hundred-year partnership”.
- “We are helping them, and we are sharing intel,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
- “The facts show that the Russians do not consider themselves bound by what the President of the United States said,” Zelenskyy said following the attack late Tuesday.
