Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv did not receive intelligence data from the United States regarding planned Russian ballistic attacks for three consecutive days. The head of state announced this in an interview cited by RBK-Ukraine referencing NBC News. According to Zelenskyy, the American side possesses 'unique data' on impending ballistic strikes, and this information is critically important for Ukraine's air defense system and the protection of civil infrastructure.
Three-day gap in data transfer
'Only the US has this unique data, and they inform us when Russia uses ballistic missiles. We did not receive data on ballistic attacks for three days,' Zelenskyy emphasized. The president noted that Ukraine receives vital intelligence from numerous allies, including European countries, but in the ballistics segment specifically, there is currently no alternative to American data, he said. A three-day break in transmitting such information, according to Zelenskyy's logic, created a serious operational risk for Ukrainian positions and the population in frontline regions.
Sharing resumed
Zelenskyy reported that the process of exchanging intelligence with the US, including regarding ballistic threats, has now 'finally resumed.' 'We are very grateful for this... Now it works,' the president stated. He did not specify the exact reason for the three-day break, limiting himself to stating the fact and expressing gratitude for the restoration of the communication channel.
Context: Threat of sharing suspension and refinery strikes
Zelenskyy's statement came against the backdrop of a fact previously confirmed by him: American authorities warned Kyiv about a possible suspension of intelligence sharing if Ukraine does not halt strikes on oil refineries within Russia. Thus, the three-day gap in transmitting ballistics data may be connected to this ultimatum, although neither Zelenskyy nor representatives of the Pentagon or the White House publicly linked the two events together in a single statement.
Washington's position and attitude toward Trump
Notably, Donald Trump himself previously publicly claimed that he is 'helping' Ukraine and did not stop the exchange of intelligence data. Thus, Zelenskyy's version of a three-day break caused by a decision from the American side contradicts the public stance of the US president. Amid these contradictions, Zelenskyy expressed hope that Trump 'will remain on Ukraine's side anyway, or at least take a neutral position,' which indirectly indicates the ongoing uncertainty in relations between Kyiv and Washington on intelligence cooperation.
