KYIV — Ukrainians have died because the country is not receiving timely warnings from the United States about incoming Russian attacks, according to Serhii Beskrestnov, a key adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Beskrestnov told the BBC that lives have been lost due to insufficient time to alert citizens about ballistic missile strikes. He described U.S. intelligence as incomplete and inconsistent, with no clear explanation for the lapses. In one instance, a warning arrived only one minute before an attack.
The White House says there have been no changes to its intelligence sharing with Ukraine. But Ukraine first reported an interruption to U.S. intelligence last week, coinciding with a diplomatic dispute between Kyiv and the Trump administration over oil imports from Russia.
President Zelensky said on social media Monday that two ballistic missile attacks struck the capital overnight. One came without warning; the second gave minimal time for shelter. This followed an NBC interview hours earlier where Zelensky said intelligence sharing had resumed after a three-day pause.
In that interview, Zelensky said: "Only the United States has this unique intelligence to tell our side when Russia uses ballistic missiles."
Beskrestnov said general intelligence data and other U.S. collaboration continue, but the specific problem is with the air raid alert system.
He also pointed to ongoing restrictions on Starlink and its military service, Starshield, which Ukraine uses for drones, helicopters and military communications. The U.S. has not clarified who imposed these restrictions, he said.
Last week, Starshield implemented a 100 mile-per-hour speed limit for mobile units maintaining network connection. The restriction has degraded Ukraine's ability to intercept incoming drones and conduct mid-range drone attacks into Russian-occupied territory.
Elon Musk, Starlink's owner, said last week that the U.S. government controls access to Starshield, which was designed for the Pentagon, suggesting Washington may be behind the limits. President Trump has denied involvement.
Beskrestnov said the simultaneous occurrence of intelligence delays and Starlink restrictions appears to be a deliberate strategy to pressure Ukraine into negotiations with Russia.
