Ukraine can’t detect Russian ballistic launches without US intel data — Zelenskyy

The president made the remarks in an interview with French broadcasters, during his visit to Paris.

“Not everyone probably knows what intelligence data actually is,” said Zelenskyy.

“Without U.S. intelligence, we do not detect the launch of ballistic missiles from Russia toward our people. Ballistic missiles are aimed almost entirely at civilian infrastructure — energy, schools, churches, universities — tens of thousands of missiles. And if the exchange of intelligence were halted, we wouldn’t know when to tell civilians to take shelter. We simply do not have that capability.”

He added that Kyiv previously requested direct access to U.S. intelligence to have more time to prepare for incoming ballistic attacks.

“We have never had direct access; our partners have always passed the data along to us,” the president said.

“Since the start of the war, I have repeatedly asked our partners, ‘Give us direct access, it’s faster,’ but we haven’t gotten it. Even so, we are grateful. We unblocked American assistance — that was a success for our team.” 

Zelenskyy arrived in Paris earlier on March 26, for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. The French leader announced another military aid package for Kyiv and pledged to deliver additional Dassault Mirage 2000 aircraft to Ukraine.