In recent days, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Ukrainian civilians are dying because the United States is not providing timely intelligence about Russian missile strikes. The adviser, Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov, told the BBC that the lack of advance warnings left citizens without enough time to seek shelter, resulting in deaths during ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv.

Background of the intelligence dispute

Ukrainian officials have long relied on U.S. intelligence to receive early alerts when Russia launches ballistic missiles. Zelensky himself has publicly thanked the United States for its unique capability to inform Kyiv of such attacks. However, Beskrestnov says that the flow of intelligence has become "incomplete and inconsistent," with some alerts arriving only a minute before impact.

Impact on civilians

According to the adviser, the inconsistency of the alerts has already cost lives. He cited two recent missile attacks on the capital, one of which arrived without warning and the other with only minimal time to take shelter. In a separate incident in the Kharkiv region, a drone strike killed at least six people—including a toddler in a pram and an 11‑year‑old girl—and injured 14 others near a park café. Beskrestnov linked these casualties to the failure to receive reliable early warnings.

Starlink and Starshield restrictions

Compounding the intelligence issue, the United States has also limited Ukraine’s use of the Starlink satellite network, specifically its military‑grade Starshield service. The adviser noted that Starshield recently capped the speed of mobile units at 100 mph (160 km/h), hampering Ukraine’s ability to intercept incoming drones or launch its own mid‑range attacks. Elon Musk, owner of Starlink, confirmed that the U.S. government controls access to Starshield, suggesting that the restrictions may be a deliberate policy decision.

Official responses

The White House has repeatedly denied any change to intelligence sharing with Ukraine, describing the situation as a "software problem" affecting the early‑warning system. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this stance, stating that there has been no pause in intelligence sharing. In contrast, Beskrestnov argued that the simultaneous timing of the intelligence gaps and the Starshield speed limit appears to be a coordinated effort to pressure Kyiv into negotiations with Russia.

Ukraine’s search for alternatives

Facing uncertainty over both intelligence and communications, Ukraine is exploring alternative radar and communication systems. Beskrestnov emphasized the need for backup solutions, not only for air defence but also for broader military and civilian communications, given the unpredictable future of Starlink access.

Outlook

The dispute highlights a broader tension between Ukraine’s reliance on Western technology and the political calculations of its allies. While the United States continues to provide substantial aid, the adviser’s comments suggest that strategic leverage may be exercised through selective sharing of critical intelligence and communication capabilities. For Ukrainian civilians, the stakes are immediate: without reliable early warnings, the risk of further casualties remains high.

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