Missiles strike central Kyiv before alert; Zelensky condemns attack
Russian ballistic missiles struck central Kyiv late on Oct. 12, with explosions reported before air raid alerts and mobile notifications were issued. Zelensky said five missiles hit civilian infrastructure and described the attack as particularly vile, noting that Ukraine's partners had not provided early warning. The Air Force said it detected the missiles during the attack but had received no launch information from Russian territory and was investigating why.
The strikes hit Kyiv after 10 p.m. on Oct. 12. Journalists reported blasts before sirens and mobile alerts, with more explosions around 11:09 p.m. The Air Force said it detected about six ballistic missiles around 10:10 p.m.; Zelensky said five struck non-military sites. He said Ukraine’s partners gave no advance launch warning. The Air Force tracked the missiles but lacked launch data from Russian territory and is investigating why.
Officials said the late alert was not unprecedented. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said U.S.-Ukraine intelligence sharing continues, after an earlier report that Washington threatened to suspend it unless Kyiv stopped hitting Russian energy targets.
The delayed warning may deepen anxiety among Kyiv residents, who could feel exposed if alerts arrive only as missiles are already inbound. It may also intensify public scrutiny of Ukraine’s air-defense and intelligence links, affecting trust in authorities and partners. Any perceived gap in early-warning cooperation could shape morale and civilian preparedness, though officials say intelligence sharing remains active.