US fails to warn Ukraine about Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv: Rubio explains why
Photo: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Getty Images)
Ukraine did not receive a warning about Russian missiles targeting Kyiv because of a software issue, according to a statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, quoted by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty correspondent in Washington, Alex Raufoglu.
Ukrainian media report that the US also did not share intelligence with Ukraine last night about the launches of Russian ballistic missiles targeting Kyiv.
"I don’t know exactly what happened last night. I know a few nights ago, there was a software problem involving an early warning system. UEUCOM is looking at it. I cannot comment on what happened last night," Rubio replied.
WATCH!! “What happened last night I don’t know exactly” — Rubio tells me he can’t confirm reports that Kyiv received no early warning before Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv overnight, citing a lack of information.
— Alex Raufoglu (@ralexdc) October 19, 2026
He acknowledged a separate early-warning system… pic.twitter.com/BZBAjtucLT
Rubio stressed that the US had not stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine. He expressed surprise at where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was getting such information and why he was telling journalists about it.
According to the secretary of state, Zelenskyy should focus on ending the war rather than telling the press that intelligence sharing had been suspended.
"I don't know where he's getting these things from. Or why he's saying these things to the press. You should go back and ask him. There's been no pause. What he should be focused on, and what we want to be focused on, is bringing an end to this war. That's what he should be focused on. That's what we want everybody to be focused on. That's what we want the Russians to be focused on," he said.
On the morning of October 19, Ukraine once again did not receive an early warning of a ballistic missile strike on Kyiv.
According to The Washington Post, US intelligence warned the Ukrainian embassy that intelligence sharing would be suspended if Ukraine continued striking Russian oil refineries.
We also reported that explosions were heard in Kyiv on the morning of October 19 during a cruise missile attack.
Earlier that night, Russian forces struck the capital twice with ballistic missiles. According to preliminary reports, one person was killed, and the Chernihivska and Lisova metro stations were temporarily closed.
