Key facts
- US intelligence sharing with Ukraine has resumed after a pause.
- President Zelenskiy confirmed the resumption of intelligence flows.
- The pause was linked to disputes over battlefield targeting and ceasefire rules.
- US officials had warned Ukraine against striking Russian oil refineries.
The United States has resumed providing Ukraine with critical intelligence to help defend against Russian missile strikes after a brief pause, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on October 18, 2026. Ukraine has relied on US intelligence to spot fast-moving ballistic missiles fired by Russia.
Speaking to NBC's "Meet the Press," Zelenskiy confirmed that intelligence sharing had been interrupted but was later "de-blocked." He expressed gratitude for the resumption of these flows, stating, "Now it works."
Earlier in the week, US President Donald Trump had stated that Washington was still sharing intelligence, despite Ukrainian officials reporting that some Russian strikes had occurred without warning. The temporary suspension of intelligence flows reportedly materialized amid disagreements between Washington and Kyiv over battlefield targeting rules and prospective ceasefire mechanisms. The Washington Post cited US intelligence officials who warned Ukraine that Washington would immediately halt intelligence sharing if Ukrainian forces continued long-range strikes against Russian oil refineries and petrochemical facilities.
Zelenskiy also expressed hope that bilateral negotiations with American officials could take place within the coming week. Prior to the restoration, Zelensky disclosed that Ukrainian defense forces received no advance warnings from Western partners regarding Russian ballistic missile launches toward Kyiv for two consecutive nights.