Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Oct. 19 Ukraine had gone without U.S. early warning of ballistic missile attacks three times in a short period, while pressing lawmakers on satellite limits and Patriot supplies.
Zelenskyy's report of a third missile-warning gap identified the latest instance as the first wave of attacks on the night before the call, his office said. It did not provide dates for the other two occasions.
Zelenskyy also told lawmakers that restrictions on Starlink and Starshield were disrupting frontline logistics and Ukraine's defenses against Russian drones, according to his office. “We still have no explanation for this,” he said.
Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Thom Tillis, who hosted the online meeting, said the affected equipment included systems traveling faster than 100 mph. They also warned that the service problems left civilians more exposed to attacks.
In remarks on Oct. 19, President Donald Trump said, “Yeah, we share intelligence,” when asked about U.S. intelligence support for Ukraine. He also said he did not know who had ordered the satellite interruption and wanted to find out.
Zelenskyy asked lawmakers to help speed Patriot interceptor deliveries through NATO's Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). Allies and partners fund purchases of U.S. equipment under the arrangement, while NATO coordinates deliveries. His office said Zelenskyy offered to pause strikes on Russian oil refineries for 30 days if the United States supplied Patriot interceptors to defend Ukraine for the same period; he said he had heard no willingness to accept the offer.
An Oct. 16 order waived specified new sanctions and duties under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The order cited U.S. national interest and said specified sanctions imposed under earlier executive orders would remain unaffected. Separately, four senators asked SpaceX for records about the restrictions and who could change Ukraine's access to Starshield, with a response requested by Nov. 2.
