Ukraine's Air Force comments on delay of air-raid warning in Kyiv

Ukraine's Air Force has expressed hope that Ukraine and its international partners will establish why information regarding Russia's launch of ballistic missiles towards Kyiv on 12 October was not received in time, noting that such incidents have occurred before.

Source: Colonel Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Details: Amid foreign media reports referencing sources that the US might halt intelligence sharing, the presenter asked: "Can you confirm the delay in notification and what specifically caused it?"

Ihnat confirmed that this time the air-raid warning indeed was issued only whilst the Russian ballistic attack was already underway but noted that this was not the first such instance. This has happened not only in Kyiv Oblast but also in frontline cities. In this case, the Air Force spokesperson expressed hope that Ukrainian intelligence together with foreign partners will determine the cause of the delay.

Quote: "The intelligence data that everyone is talking about now varies. There is intelligence utilising satellite communications that not only the US but also other NATO countries share with Ukraine. This covers the activity of enemy strategic aviation at their home airfields, ship movements in the Black or Caspian Seas and ballistic missile launches.

There are moments when this information fails to arrive. This is not the first case... If there were certain technical issues this time, I believe the experts can sort it out. And we will resolve this problem together with our partners."

Background:

• At 22:10 on 12 October, Russia struck the capital of Ukraine with five ballistic missiles. Radar systems detected the incoming missiles only once the attack on Kyiv was underway.
• Ukraine's Air Force reported that no information regarding launches from Russian territory had been received.

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