On 13/10, around 22:40, the enemy attacked the capital with ballistic missiles of unspecified quantity and type. The Ukrainian Air Force Command stated today, "The situation remains similar to the previous day; we received no information from partners regarding firings on enemy territory. The cause is being clarified."

Dmytro Lytvyn, an advisor to the President of Ukraine, told reporters that allies had failed to provide early warning of missile launches for the second consecutive day.

An apartment building in Kyiv ablaze after the 13/10 attack. Video: X/Anton Gerashchenko

President Zelensky confirmed, "We only detected the missiles when they were almost hitting Kyiv." He did not name specific partners but emphasized that intelligence on such attacks is "one of the most important factors, helping to save many lives." He wrote on social media, "The US must truly see what is happening and who is responsible for the war continuing."

Asked if Kyiv received an explanation for the lack of intelligence before the missile attack, a senior Ukrainian official described the situation as an "incident," implying the cause could be due to objective factors like weather conditions.

The 13/10 attack in Kyiv caused significant damage and casualties. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that a Russian missile struck a nine-story apartment building in the Desniansky district just minutes after air raid sirens sounded. The incident caused a large fire in the building, killing at least two people and injuring 21.

Firefighters spray water to extinguish a fire at an apartment building in Kyiv. Photo: Kyiv Independent

AMK Mapping, an X account tracking open-source intelligence on the Ukraine conflict, assessed that Russia deployed 6-8 RM-48U training missiles from the S-400 system, modified for ground attack. "The targets were the CHP-4 thermal power plant and the Darnytsia locomotive depot in the capital Kyiv. Many large fires erupted after the attack. Ukrainian air defense continued to fail in detecting the incoming missiles," the account reported.

The lack of warning has raised questions about intelligence sharing. On 12/10, Kyiv Independent, citing sources, reported that the administration of President Donald Trump had called senior Ukrainian military and government officials. It warned of a potential withdrawal of support, including intelligence sharing, to pressure Ukraine into stopping attacks on Russian oil refineries.

President Trump, however, asserted that the US had not stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine. "We are supporting them. We want the conflict to end, so we are working with both Ukraine and Russia," he told reporters at the White House.

AMK Mapping suggested that Ukraine's lack of warning stemmed from US reconnaissance satellites missing Russian missile launchers and firing activities. A similar incident occurred on 2/10, when an Iskander-M ballistic missile launched from Taganrog, southwestern Russia, hit a target in Ukraine's Mykolaiv province. "Western satellites can detect Russian ballistic missile launchers and then transmit information to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR) to activate attack warnings in areas within range. This method is not perfect; satellites have repeatedly failed to detect Russian ballistic missile activity," the account explained.