According to media reports, in the spring, the U.S. transferred approximately 500 ATACMS missiles to Ukraine from Pentagon stockpiles. Initially, they were used to strike targets in temporarily occupied territories, particularly in Crimea.
By mid-November, when the U.S. allowed Kyiv to use these missiles deeper within Russian territory, Ukraine had only "dozens of missiles" left – likely around 50 – and the possibility of acquiring additional ATACMS was practically exhausted, two U.S. officials commented to the NYT.
Additionally, the UK, which also permitted Ukraine to utilize its long-range Storm Shadow missiles for strikes against Russia following the U.S. decision, recently stated that their stockpiles of these missiles are also limited.
The situation regarding the missile shortage is unlikely to change with Trump, who recently stated in an interview with Time that he is categorically against Ukraine using ATACMS on Russian territory, calling the current President Joe Biden's decision to provide these missiles to Kyiv "foolish," noted the NYT.
After receiving permission from the U.S. and the UK, Ukraine conducted at least six strikes against Russia, employing at least 31 ATACMS and 14 Storm Shadow missiles, emphasized the media, referencing data from the Russian Ministry of Defense and information from so-called military bloggers.
According to officials and analysts, the most destructive attack was Ukraine's use of Storm Shadow missiles on November 20 against a Russian command bunker near Mar'ino in the Kursk region. The following day, Russia launched its new hypersonic ballistic missile "Oreshnik" at Dnipro.
On November 27, the Chief of the General Staff of Russia, Valery Gerasimov, held a phone conversation with U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Charles Brown to discuss "concerns about the risks of further escalation," after which Ukraine refrained from using ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles for two weeks, according to the NYT.
Moreover, the illegitimate Russian president Vladimir Putin threatened to launch "Oreshnik" at Kyiv if Ukraine does not cease using ATACMS for strikes against Russia.
At the same time, some analysts believe that Ukraine has limited missile usage as it initially targeted Russian facilities it had long wanted to strike. Now, with few missiles remaining, Ukraine is acting more cautiously, summarized the NYT.