The story so far · 4 days, October 18 to 21, 2026
One Turn followed this story across 4 editions, from Kyiv, Ukraine on October 18, 2026. Newest first.
The US has shared intelligence with Ukraine since the 2022 invasion. Zelensky had said some sharing was temporarily paused before resuming.
Open the latest on the 3D globe →
Zelensky said Ukraine is again receiving early warning intelligence on Russian missile attacks after talks with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Oslo and a call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He had said earlier strikes came without enough notice.
Why it matters: Early warnings give Ukrainian civilians and air defenses more time to respond to incoming missile strikes.
Sources: NPR, CBC News · See it on the globe
After meeting US envoy Steve Witkoff in Oslo, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv was again receiving advance warnings of Russian ballistic missile attacks, saying the system "works now." He also said he spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio about Starlink and Starshield issues, and said Ukraine was not losing the war but was "losing people and time." Shortly afterward, President Trump said it was "time to make a deal" and that the US had got "nothing back" from Ukraine.
Why it matters: Advance warnings of missile strikes help Ukraine protect civilians and its power grid during Russian air attacks.
Sources: The Guardian, BBC News, Euronews · See it on the globe
A Zelenskyy adviser told the BBC Ukrainians were dying because of reduced US intelligence sharing, and Zelenskyy said Ukraine got no early warning before Russia fired 16 ballistic missiles and over 200 drones. He also said Starshield satellite terminals stop working at high speeds; Rubio and the White House denied any change, and Bessent warned Zelenskyy to be careful.
Why it matters: Ukraine's air defence and frontline coordination depend heavily on US intelligence and satellite communications.
Sources: BBC News, France 24, The Hindu · See it on the globe
Zelenskyy said the US deliberately throttled Starlink and its military Starshield service so Trump could send a 'message', while thanking Washington for resuming intelligence sharing. A speed cap imposed on October 15 cuts connections for terminals moving faster than 160 kph, hampering drones; Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Zelenskyy to be careful with such claims, and Washington denied ordering it.
Why it matters: Ukraine's dependence on a privately owned US satellite network gives Washington and SpaceX leverage over its battlefield capabilities.
Sources: The Guardian, CNBC, NPR · See it on the globe