Washington, October 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said a temporary suspension of US intelligence sharing left Ukraine without crucial American warnings of Russian ballistic missile attacks for three days, while restrictions on military-related satellite communications remain partly in place.
In an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Zelensky said Ukraine continued receiving intelligence from European countries and other partners during the interruption, but their capabilities could not fully replace the information provided by the United States.
“We didn’t see attacks of Russia using ballistic missiles,” Zelensky said, describing the impact of the disruption.
He said the United States possessed unique intelligence capabilities that enabled Ukraine to receive advance warnings of Russian ballistic missile launches. According to Zelensky, the interruption was subsequently lifted and intelligence sharing had resumed.
“It was blocked for some period of time. And then it was deblocked by American side,” he said, adding that the arrangement was now functioning again.
Zelensky also raised concerns over restrictions affecting Starlink, the satellite internet network operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which Ukrainian forces use for military-related communications.
He said Ukrainian military officials believed the restrictions had originated with the US government, although he could not identify the official responsible. Asked whether satellite services had been fully restored, Zelensky said limitations remained.
However, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent disputed the suggestion that the Trump administration had ordered restrictions on Starlink. Speaking separately on the same programme, Bessent said President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had categorically denied that anyone in the administration had directed such action.
Bessent also said he had no information about the reported interruption in intelligence sharing and described Zelensky’s allegation as reckless.
The contrasting accounts left questions unresolved about the circumstances behind the reported disruptions and the extent of any continuing restrictions.
Zelensky stressed that Ukraine remained heavily dependent on American assistance despite support from European partners.
“ If it’s without United States’ support, it’s very difficult,” he said.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, US intelligence, weapons and satellite communications have been important to Ukraine’s defence against Russian military operations, including missile and drone attacks.
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