Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine again received no early warning from Western partners ahead of the ballistic missile strikes. Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat said partner intelligence did not arrive before the first ballistic wave at 11 p.m. on October 18, though warnings were received before a second wave at 3 a.m. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to comment on the overnight strike, saying US European Command was investigating a software problem that affected Ukraine's early warning system a few nights earlier.
Zelensky criticized allies for blocking air defense missile deliveries while easing or delaying sanctions on Moscow, calling it a "denial of reality" as RBC-Ukraine reported Washington is weighing further sanctions relief on Russian tankers, gas, companies and individuals. Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky said Russia has conducted 2,147 strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities since starting daily attacks on July 16.