U.S. Accused of Withholding Early Warnings of Russian Strikes on Ukraine

The United States might have intentionally withheld early warnings of Russian attacks on Ukraine, as reported by multiple sources to CBS News. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Ukraine did not receive warnings from its partners when Russia launched missiles at Kyiv and other areas.

Sources indicated that U.S. officials informed Ukrainian counterparts that the missile detection system failed due to poor weather conditions. Ukrainian officials, speaking anonymously, expressed doubt about this explanation, suspecting manipulation of the system instead.

On a subsequent attack, the U.S. warning system was reportedly functioning again. This raised concerns, as a previous failure to provide missile launch intelligence occurred earlier this year, attributed to a focus on the Middle East.

Zelenskyy reported Russia’s launch of over 39 missiles and 120 drones, primarily targeting Kyiv and Kharkiv’s infrastructure. The attack resulted in six fatalities and power outages for approximately 600,000 people.

President Trump, when questioned if the U.S. ceased sharing intelligence with Ukraine, denied it. He emphasized the intention to help Ukraine reach a resolution and end the war. Trump stated they were cooperating with both Ukraine and Russia toward ending the conflict.

“We are helping them, and we are sharing intel. We want the war to end, so we’re working with them and with Russia on getting the war to end,” President Trump stated.

Following Trump’s mention of an “energy ceasefire,” Russia continued launching attacks. Meanwhile, the Trump administration threatened to stop intelligence sharing and weapon purchases if Ukraine pursued deep strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.

Ukraine relies heavily on U.S. intelligence for military operations, including satellite and aircraft data for detecting Russian activities. According to CBS News, intelligence sharing with Ukraine remains intact, yet this week’s lack of warnings appears isolated.

Additionally, Ukrainian forces faced issues with Starlink technology, vital for communication and operational tasks amid electronic warfare. Sources reported unilateral restrictions by SpaceX on the night of October 14, affecting UAV missions and frontline logistics.

The Ministry of Defense is in contact with the U.S., SpaceX, and NATO to address these interruptions. Backup communication channels are being tested, as stated by Ukrainian defense sources.

President Zelenskyy urged the U.S. to respond to Russia’s recent attacks during his visit to the U.K., stating, “such a demonstrative disrespect from Russia toward America has never happened before.” He called for a global, strong response to the threat posed by Russia.

This information was originally published by CBS News on October 14, 2026.