If we had been warned in advance that ballistic missiles were coming, we could have saved lives.
Such information is very useful for preventing loss of life,
Zelenskyy posted on X.
Missiles Target Kyiv's Energy System
The attacks, which involved five ballistic missiles, targeted Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, according to Zelenskyy. He described the attacks as very despicable. A subsequent Russian attack on Kyiv’s energy system occurred that evening, with Zelenskyy again stating no prior warning was received from partners.
US Support and Claims of Russian Disregard
The developments come amid increasing tensions with US President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy’s comments followed Trump’s assertion. Trump stated, We are helping Ukraine. We are also sharing intelligence. We want the war to end. That’s why we’re working with Ukraine and Russia in that direction,
as quoted by the outlet. Zelenskyy, however, indicated that Russia does not feel bound by Trump’s words, stating, The facts show that Russians believe they do not need to abide by the words of the US president.
With Finnish Prime Minister @PetteriOrpo, we discussed how to protect Ukraine against Russia’s brutal strikes on civilian infrastructure. Overnight and throughout today, Russia launched new strikes on our energy facilities. Parts of the Volyn region and Kyiv are still without… pic.twitter.com/46ZdUQyYqO
Energy Infrastructure Attacks and Civilian Casualties
Russia continued attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure following the initial strikes. Three people died and 21 were injured in Kyiv as a result of the strikes. A residential building in Kharkiv was destroyed, resulting in four fatalities.
Russian Claims and Ukrainian Defense Challenges
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have downed 902 Ukrainian drones over multiple regions, according to the report. Ukraine’s air force reported launching 39 ballistic and cruise missiles, along with 128 drones, while claiming to have intercepted 115 drones and four missiles.
⚡️⚡️ Two radar stations, an electronic warfare station and enemy telecommunications towers hitOn 15th October and during the night of 16th October 2026, units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine struck a number of enemy military facilities.Two radar stations were hit in Bryansk… pic.twitter.com/mRG7SQZiXF
Potential Energy Ceasefire and Continued Attacks
Trump announced an agreement for an energy ceasefire, suggesting Russia and Ukraine had agreed not to attack each other’s energy infrastructure. However, this claim was not confirmed by Russia. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine had not attacked Russian energy facilities in the two days following Trump’s announcement, but that Russia had continued to target Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The facts show that Russians believe they do not need to abide by the words of the US president,
he said.
Zelenskyy said, If we had been warned in advance that ballistic missiles were coming, we could have saved lives. Such information is very useful for preventing loss of life.
Trump told the outlet, We are helping Ukraine. We are also sharing intelligence. We want the war to end. That’s why we’re working with Ukraine and Russia in that direction.
Zelenskyy stated, The world should not remain silent on this issue. The United States must also understand what is actually happening and who is responsible for the continuation of this war.
Zelenskyy noted, according to reports, The facts show that Russians believe they do not need to abide by the words of the US president.