Ukrainians Are Dying Because US Warnings Are Not Arriving Properly, Zelensky Adviser Claims

Ukrainians have died because Kyiv is still not receiving reliable US warnings of incoming Russian attacks, according to a key adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky. In his words, people have already lost their lives.

Serhii 'Flash' Beskrestnov told the BBC that lives had been lost because there had not been time to warn citizens about ballistic missile strikes, saying: 'It's dangerous... I think it's really very bad... People [have] already died.'

The adviser also said restrictions on Ukraine's use of the Starlink internet network were ongoing. With both issues occurring at the same time, suspicion is growing in Kyiv that they are not a coincidence.

The White House, however, said there had been no changes to intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Despite the denials from Washington, many in Kyiv suspect the Starlink issues may be deliberate.

Ukraine first reported an interruption to US intelligence sharing last week, as a row with the Trump administration over its controversial deal to import Russian oil sent relations to new lows.

On Monday morning, Zelensky wrote on social media that overnight two ballistic missile attacks were reported on the capital, one without warning, and the second with only minimal time to take shelter.

Hours earlier, an interview the president gave to NBC was published, in which he said intelligence sharing had been restored after a three-day pause. 'We are very thankful for this,' he said. 'Only [the] United States has this unique intelligence to tell our side when Russia uses ballistic missiles.'

But Beskrestnov told the BBC that American intelligence continued to be incomplete and inconsistent, and that the US had failed to provide a clear explanation for the issue. 'This looks very strange,' he said. 'Sometimes we receive this information before the attack, another time we [do] not.' Last night, he said, the information arrived, but only one minute before the attack.

However, he said other collaboration with the US continues, adding that intelligence data keeps flowing and the issue is solely with the air raid alert component.

Beskrestnov also said the US had given no clarity about who was responsible for the ongoing restrictions on the Starlink internet network and its military service Starshield, which Kyiv uses to provide connectivity for drones, helicopters and military communications.

Last week, Starshield restricted the speed at which mobile units could move while staying connected to the network to 100 mph (160 km/h). This has limited Ukraine's ability to shoot down incoming drones or to launch mid-range drone attacks into Russian-occupied areas.

Starlink owner Elon Musk said last week that the US government ultimately controls access to Starshield, which was designed for the Pentagon, suggesting it may therefore be behind the restrictions. President Trump has denied involvement.

Beskrestnov said he thought both issues occurring at the same time was probably a deliberate move to put pressure on Ukraine. He told BBC News the United States was probably trying to say that Ukraine should hold talks and negotiations with Russia and find a compromise.

He added that Ukraine has its own radar data to provide some limited warning of incoming attacks, but is urgently looking into using alternative communication systems. In his words, an alternative to Starlink is now being considered not only for air defence, but also for communication between forces, between staff, and for civilians, because what will happen next with Starlink is unknown.

Earlier on Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there had not been a 'pause' to intelligence sharing. 'I don't know where [Zelensky is] getting these things or why he's saying these things to the press,' he told reporters. Rubio said he knew that a few nights ago there was a software problem involving Ukraine's early warning system.

A White House official said there were no changes to intelligence sharing operations between the US and Ukraine. Speaking on background to discuss intelligence matters, the official said Trump is focused on ending the war and that the US has provided more aid to Ukraine than any other country. The BBC has also contacted Starlink for a response.