Last week, anonymous U.S. and Ukrainian officials stated that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had used the entirety of their U.S.-transferred ATACMS ballistic missiles in attacks against Russia. The news was reported by the Associated Press in an extensive article on U.S. arms shipments to Ukraine, highlighting that the inventory of these missiles had been depleted in January and could not be replenished due to the suspension of military aid imposed by the U.S. government under Donald Trump.
According to U.S. sources, while ATACMS missiles are a crucial asset for Ukraine in conducting long-range strikes, only a limited number had been delivered. Specifically, since the start of the invasion in 2022, fewer than 40 ATACMS missiles were provided.
Regarding this last point, it is worth recalling that the U.S. government had previously stated that these missiles would be sent in limited quantities, as NATO allies prioritized other systems deemed more useful for Kyiv’s needs. Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III was among the key officials who hinted at this policy.
However, there remains a possibility (though unconfirmed) that Ukraine may receive additional long-range missiles in the future. As noted in the report, Washington lifted the suspension of military assistance to Kyiv last Wednesday amid key negotiations regarding a possible ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, which could allow shipments to resume as usual. However, there is speculation that receiving new weaponry might not necessarily mean permission to use them in attacks on Russian territory, as President Trump has repeatedly expressed opposition to such actions.
It is also important to recall that the first shipments of ATACMS missiles occurred in the fall of 2023 under former President Joe Biden’s administration, consisting of older variants. It was not until the spring of 2024 that the U.S. began delivering updated ATACMS versions with an estimated range of 300 kilometers. This shift was reflected not only in the variants supplied but also in the restrictions imposed on their use, as they were only authorized for strikes on Russian territory by mid-year—coinciding with the UK lifting restrictions on its Storm Shadow missile systems.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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