Ukrainian forces have exhausted their stock of US-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which were crucial for conducting long-range strikes against Russian positions.
This was according to a recent report by the Associated Press, citing unnamed US and Ukrainian officials.
The American source revealed that Washington has provided the war-ravaged nation with fewer than 40 ATACMS in total since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022.
Ukraine primarily used the ATACMS to target critical Russian military infrastructure, including command posts, ammunition depots, storage facilities, and air defenses.
The sources revealed that Kyiv’s ATACMS stocks were exhausted as early as January. And with US President Donald Trump halting military aid to Ukraine earlier this year, the country has struggled to replenish these critical weapons.
“Senior US defense leaders, including the previous Pentagon chief, Lloyd Austin, had made it clear that only a limited number of the ATACMs would be delivered and that the US and NATO allies considered other weapons to be more valuable in the fight,” the report noted.
‘Wasting’ Donated Weapons
Last month, the Ukrainian military faced criticism for allegedly wasting advanced weaponry supplied by Western allies.
British defense officials cited instances where Ukrainian brigades were using the Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapon as if it was a standard rocket-propelled grenade launcher.
Other weapons were reportedly being fired indiscriminately at Russian positions, with little regard for accuracy.
By the end of 2024, Western media suggested Ukraine might already be running low on ATACMS missiles, urging Kyiv’s forces to be more selective and strategic in their use.
Deteriorating Relations
Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump announced a halt to military aid and crucial intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
This followed a spat between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Oval Office over a controversial minerals deal and potential resolutions to the three-year conflict.
Zelensky recently supported a 30-day ceasefire with Russia proposed by the US, leading Washington to resume the delivery of critical supplies.
Whether or not the US will send additional ATACMS remains uncertain.
