Ukrainians dying because US restricting intelligence sharing, Zelensky adviser tells BBC

ByDan Johnson Ukraine correspondent in Kyiv.

Key points

• Last week, Starshield restricted the speed at which mobile units could move while staying connected to the network to 100mph (160km/h).
• Ukrainians have died since Kyiv is still not receiving reliable US warnings of incoming Russian attacks, according to a key adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
• Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had remarked there had not been a "pause" to intelligence sharing.
• The White House remarked there had been no changes to intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
• "Only United States has this unique intelligence to tell our side when Russia uses ballistic missiles."

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 particularly bad. Individuals already died."

Meanwhile, the adviser additionally stated restrictions to Ukraine's employ of the Starlink internet network were ongoing.

Notably, the White House remarked there had been no changes to intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

As a row with the Trump administrations over its controversial agreement to import Russian oil sent relations to new lows, ukraine first documented an interruption to US intelligence sharing last week.

Despite the denials from Washington, plenty of in Kyiv suspect the matters are not a coincidence.

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

Hours earlier, an interview the president did with NBC was published, in which he remarked intelligence sharing had been restored after a three-day pause.

"We are very thankful for this, " he remarked. "Only United States has this unique intelligence to tell our side when Russia uses ballistic missiles."

But Beskrestnov informed the BBC that American intelligence continued to be incomplete and inconsistent, and that the US had failed to provide a clear explanation for the problem.

"This looks very strange, " he remarked. "Sometimes we receive this information before the attack, another time we not."

He continued: "And for example, last night we received it, but. One minute before the attack."

Nevertheless, he stated other collaboration with US continues, adding: "Intelligence data keeps flowing, and the issue is solely with the air raid alert component."

Beskrestnov additionally stated the US had given no clarity regarding who was responsible for the ongoing restrictions to the Starlink internet network and its military service Starshield. It kyiv uses to provide connectivity for drones, helicopters and military communications.

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 remarked last week that the US administration ultimately controls access to Starshield. It was designed for the Pentagon, suggesting it may therefore be behind the restrictions. Trump has denied involvement.

Beskrestnov remarked he thought both matters occurring meanwhile was "probably" a deliberate move to put pressure on Ukraine.

He informed BBC News: "It's probably the United States trying to say us, 'let's have the conversation, negotiation with Russia, you should find the compromise'."

Beskrestnov additionally stated Ukraine had its own radar data to provide some limited warning of incoming attacks, but was urgently looking into using alternative communication systems.

He continued: Now we understand that something begins to happen with Starlink, and we're not sure what will be the next step.

"We understand that we should be prepared for some challenges in future. Since we don't know what we should expect in future regarding Starlink.", and now we're thinking regarding an alternative for Starlink, not only for air defence, for communication between our forces, between our staff, for civilians additionally.

When asked regarding intelligence sharing, Trump stated: "We've given a lot to Ukraine, on Monday. They've given us nothing."

"I don't know where getting these things or why he's saying these things to the press, " he remarked to journalists on Monday.

Rubio remarked he could not comment on the incident, adding: "I know a few nights ago there was a software problem involving their early warning system." The BBC has contacted Starlink for a response.

Notably, a White House official remarked there were no changes to intelligence sharing operations between the US and Ukraine.

In practice, the official spoke on background to discuss intelligence matters. Trump is focused on ending the war, the official remarked, and went on that the US has provided more aid to Ukraine than any other country.

Russian attacks continued late on Monday, with Ukrainian authorities saying at least six residents were killed – including a toddler in her pram and an 11-year-old girl – in a drone strike near a park café in the north-eastern Kharkiv region.

Zelensky described the attack in which another 14 individuals were injured as "absolute atrocity".

Taken together, the developments around ukrainians dying because US restricting intelligence sharing, Zelensky adviser tells BBC point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.