Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov, an adviser to President Zelensky, said that lives had been lost because the US was not providing enough time to warn citizens about ballistic missile strikes. "It's dangerous... I think it's really very bad... People [have] already died," he told BBC News.
Ukraine first reported an interruption to US intelligence sharing last week amid a row with the Trump administration over a controversial deal to import Russian oil. President Zelensky wrote on social media on Monday that two ballistic missile attacks on the capital had occurred overnight, one without warning and the second with only minimal time to take shelter. In an interview with NBC published hours earlier, Zelensky said intelligence sharing had been restored after a three-day pause. "We are very thankful for this," he said, noting that only the US has the unique intelligence to warn when Russia uses ballistic missiles.
But Beskrestnov told the BBC that American intelligence remained incomplete and inconsistent, and that the US had failed to provide a clear explanation. "This looks very strange," he said. "Sometimes we receive this information before the attack, another time we [do] not." He added that on the previous night, warnings arrived just one minute before the attack. He stressed that other intelligence collaboration continues and that the issue is solely with the air raid alert component.
The White House denied any changes to intelligence sharing. A White House official, speaking on background, said there were no changes to intelligence sharing operations between the US and Ukraine, and that President Trump is focused on ending the war. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Monday that he did not know where Zelensky was getting his claims, adding that there had not been a "pause" to intelligence sharing. Rubio said he could not comment on the incident but noted that "a few nights ago there was a software problem involving their early warning system."
Beskrestnov also said that restrictions to Ukraine's use of the Starlink internet network and the military service Starshield were ongoing. Last week, Starshield limited the speed at which mobile units could stay connected to 100mph (160km/h), hindering Ukraine's ability to shoot down drones or launch mid-range drone attacks. Starlink owner Elon Musk said the US government ultimately controls access to Starshield, suggesting it may be behind the restrictions. Trump has denied involvement.
Beskrestnov said the simultaneous issues were "probably" a deliberate move to pressure Ukraine into negotiations with Russia. He said Ukraine is urgently looking into alternative communication systems, as it cannot be sure what to expect next regarding Starlink.