Ukraine has no more than 50 ATACMS missiles – media
Ukraine’s stockpile of American-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) is limited, with fewer than 50 of the long-range projectiles remaining, according to reports by The Times and Forbes on Tuesday.
The use of the weapons – capable of striking targets up to 190 miles (305 km) away – deep inside Russia, has led to increased tensions between Moscow and the West, but their scarcity may hinder future operations, the media outlets have claimed.
The exact number of ATACMS delivered to Kiev has not been disclosed by Washington. However, The Times estimates that fewer than 50 missiles are in Ukrainian hands, while Forbes suggests the figure could be even lower, noting only two shipments — one in late 2023 and another in early 2024. These deliveries, according to the American magazine, are already running low after several raids on Russian targets.
This week, US President Joe Biden authorized the use of ATACMS for strikes inside Russia’s pre-2014 borders for the first time. The decision marks a significant policy shift for Washington and has drawn sharp criticism from Moscow.
Officials have warned that the move could escalate the conflict, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stating that Moscow will view these strikes as “direct participation” by NATO in the war. Russia has also updated its nuclear doctrine to reflect the heightened risks posed by long-range Western-made weapons being used against its territory.
ATACMS were reportedly used this week to strike a munitions depot in the Bryansk region, around 70 miles from the border. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed its air defenses intercepted five out of six missiles.
“Ukraine has enough HIMARS and MLRS launchers to deploy these missiles, but with a limited supply, commanders will need to carefully choose high-value targets,” The Times noted, emphasizing the missiles’ strategic importance.
The long-range weaponry is reportedly restricted to use in specific regions, particularly Kursk, where Ukrainian forces have been occupying a small portion of Russian territory for some months. Western analysts suggest the missiles are being reserved for targets such as supply depots and command centers.
Kiev’s lobbying to use ATACMS deep inside Russia comes amid uncertainty over continued US. military aid. President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office in January, has long voiced skepticism about supporting Ukraine. Forbes predicts the country’s ATACMS reserves could be depleted by early 2025.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has acknowledged the missile’s deployment without confirming specific details, “we have ATACMS, and we will use them all,” he said.
