Ukrainian President Zelenskyy says the US did not warn of Russian missile attacks on Kyiv power plants, accusing Washington of a ‘denial of reality’.
What Happened
On Sunday evening, Russian missiles struck 28 power substations and other energy facilities in Kyiv and surrounding areas.
The attacks left over 500,000 people without electricity, heat, or running water, severely disrupting daily life in the capital and its outskirts.
Ukrainian officials confirmed the strikes occurred at approximately 11pm local time, with no prior warning issued to Ukrainian authorities.
US Response and Deniability
However, no official US source has previously acknowledged such a glitch in Ukraine’s alert infrastructure.
Ukrainian officials had also reported that bad weather over southern Russia may have masked missile launch preparations.
Still, no warning reached Kyiv’s command centers before the strikes began.
The US military’s European Command is now investigating the incident to determine root causes and accountability.
Background: US-Wide Intelligence and Support
For years, the US has provided Ukraine with advance warnings of Russian missile launches.
These warnings typically gave authorities minutes to sound alarms and evacuate civilians.
That support has been vital to Ukraine’s defense strategy and civilian safety.
But in the past week, Ukrainian officials reported no warning on at least three occasions before missile attacks on key infrastructure.
These failures have deepened a public rift between President Zelenskyy and Donald Trump.
US Policy Shifts and Ukraine’s Concerns
On Friday, Trump waived a sweeping package of sanctions on Russia, calling it a ‘national interest’.
The legislation, named after Senator Lindsey Graham, was previously passed as a tool to pressure Russia.
Ukraine says this move undermines its security and signals a shift in US support.
Trump also said he would consider a trilateral meeting with Russia and China to discuss nuclear weapons and denuclearisation.
He stated: ‘We would have it to talk about nuclear weapons and denuclearisation. If President Xi wants to have it, I’d have it.’
Trump claimed he wants to negotiate peace and avoid actions that might push Russia away from talks.
He said Zelenskyy ‘doesn’t care’ and that Europe’s financial support is not enough to end the war.
Key Developments and Reactions
On Sunday, Ukraine launched over 1,000 drones at Russia, targeting an oil export terminal and a depot in St Petersburg.
These were among the largest drone attacks of the war and a direct response to Russian strikes on civilian sites.
Later that night, drone strikes hit a public park in Kharkiv’s northeastern region.
These attacks killed six people, including young children.
Regional governor Oleg Synegubov called it a ‘terrorist act’.
He said the park had no military infrastructure, showing the attack targeted civilians.
Three of the dead were children, including one in a pushchair. Seven children were among the 14 wounded.
Police posted photos showing damaged playground equipment.
Humanitarian and Diplomatic Response
Pope Leo XIV spoke with President Zelenskyy on Monday to discuss the crisis in Oleshky, a city in Ukraine’s Kherson region.
The Vatican said the Pope asked Putin for a humanitarian ceasefire during a call on Friday.
Residents of Oleshky face severe shortages of food, medicine, and clean water.
The call came two days after Pope Leo underwent surgery for lung cancer in Rome.
The Kremlin said it explained to the Pope what it called ‘the Kyiv regime’s responsibility’ for the humanitarian crisis.
Why It Matters
The lack of a warning undermines Ukraine’s ability to protect civilians during attacks.
It raises serious doubts about the reliability of US intelligence sharing and military support.
The growing rift with the Trump administration shows a shift in US policy that may prioritize diplomacy over defense.
As the war continues, the credibility of US support will depend on consistent and transparent actions.
What to Watch Next
- Whether the US confirms or denies the software issue in Ukraine’s early warning system.
- How Ukraine responds to delays in PAC-3 air defence missile deliveries.
- Whether a trilateral meeting between Trump, Putin, and Xi proceeds.
- How the humanitarian crisis in Oleshky evolves with potential ceasefire efforts.
- Whether the US continues to waive sanctions on Russia amid ongoing war.
For more on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure under attack, see Ukraine’s Energy Sites Hit Amid Trump’s Ceasefire Claim.
For details on Trump’s sanctions waiver, see Trump Waives Key Russia Sanctions Amid Tensions with Ukraine.
For Italy’s concerns about US support, see Italy’s Defence Minister Warns US Support Cut Could Prolong Ukraine War.
For Moscow’s response to Trump’s ceasefire claim, see Moscow Stays Silent on Trump’s Energy Ceasefire Claim.
For details on US access to Starshield, see Trump Denies Limiting Ukraine’s Access to Starshield.
Source: The Guardian
Sources & further reading
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