This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/607916-atacms-missiles-kiev-control-fifty/

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Ukraine has no more than 50 ATACMS missiles – media Ukraine has no more than 50 ATACMS missiles – media
(about 5 hours later)
Kiev has used the long-range missiles to strike Bryansk Region, according to the Russian military Both The Times and Forbes have claimed that stockpiles of the much-publicized long-range US-made weapons are very low.
The Ukrainian military is believed to have received only around 50 ATACMS missiles from the US so far, The Times reported on Tuesday, while noting that the Pentagon has not publicly released any figures on the controversial weapons shipment. 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.
According to the British newspaper, Ukraine’s military forces have “plenty” of HIMARS and MLRS systems that are able to fire the long-range missiles, the first of which were sent to Kiev within months of the escalation of the conflict with Russia in 2022. 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 newspaper highlighted, however, that with a limited supply of ATACMS missiles, military commanders in Kiev will have to “choose carefully when they select targets inside Russia.” 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.
On Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that Ukraine had launched six long-range ATACMS missiles into the border region of Bryansk, and that five were intercepted by air defense systems, while another was damaged and hit the ground near a military base. 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.
The White House had considered whether to authorize Kiev's use of US-supplied long-range missiles for strikes deep into Russia for more than two years. On Sunday, the New York Times reported, citing unnamed American officials, that outgoing US President Joe Biden had removed the restrictions on use of the weapons. 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.
The news was later confirmed by the EU’s outgoing foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell. Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky claimed that several other Western countries had followed suit, and given Kiev permission to use their long-range missiles against internationally recognized Russian 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.
On Monday, US Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer evaded questions from reporters about Biden’s authorization, saying he was not “confirming any decisions that have or have not been made about US assistance” when it comes to operational issues. “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.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that such a step would change the nature of the Ukraine conflict, making NATO a direct participant. The head of state has also updated Russia’s nuclear doctrine to allow a strategic response to a conventional attack by the proxy of a nuclear power. 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.