Title: Ukraine Constrains Long-Range Missile Strikes on Russia Amid Dwindling Supplies
Ukraine has been forced to curtail its use of long-range ATACMS missiles for strikes on Russia due to depleting stocks, according to informed U.S. officials who spoke to the New York Times (NYT). The restraint comes after the White House authorized Ukraine’s use of these missiles for targeting Russia’s hinterland in mid-November, a move that left Ukraine with only around 50 ATACMS.
This development caps a remarkable turn of events that began earlier this year. In the spring, the U.S. transferred approximately 500 ATACMS missiles to Ukraine from Pentagon stockpiles. Initially, these were deployed against targets in Russian-occupied territories, including Crimea. However, their use was significantly expanded in mid-November, when the Biden administration granted permission for strikes deep into Russia.
The NYT reports that Ukraine executed a total of six missile strikes on Russian territory using at least 31 ATACMS and 14 Storm Shadow missiles. One particularly effective strike occurred on November 20, targeting a Russian command bunker near the settlement of Mar’yino in the Kursk region. Following this attack, Russia fired the ‘O türk’ missile at Dnipro, and Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov held a phone conversation with U.S. General Charles Brown, discussing the risks of further escalation.
However, the overall impact of these Western-supplied missiles appears to have been limited, according to high-ranking NATO officials who spoke to the NYT. They noted that Russia had not escalated its response to the strikes, and Russian authorities might be seeking to avoid exacerbating tensions amidst the U.S. presidential transition.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently weighed in on the issue, expressing opposition to Ukraine’s use of ATACMS missiles against Russian territory, which he described as a "foolish" decision. Meanwhile, the UK, which had similarly authorized the use of its Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine, announced it lacks surplus missiles to provide to Ukraine.
As Ukraine grapples with dwindling ATACMS supplies, the strategic implications of this development remain uncertain. It’s clear, however, that the use of these long-range weapons has so far failed to significantly alter the course of the conflict.
