Ukraine’s stockpiles of US-supplied long-range Atacms missiles are running low, according to senior US officials.

Outgoing US president Joe Biden gave Kyiv permission to launch the Atacms – which have a range of up to 300 kilometres – into Russian territory a month ago. At that point, Ukraine had an estimated 50 left in its arsenal.

Ukraine then launched a series of missile strikes against the Kremlin’s airfields, military facilities, and weapons factories. Russia claims that Ukraine has launched at least 31 Atacms missiles, although it routinely exaggerates such figures.

Adm. Rob Bauer, Nato’s most senior military officer, said recently that the Atacms strikes had “seriously hit a number” of weapons factories and ammunition depots in Russia, forcing Russia to move many logistics facilities farther back from the front. However, the missiles have not significantly changed the trajectory of the war.

Officials have now suggested that Kyiv has begun limiting these attacks due to a dwindling supply and fear of changing US policies.

President-elect Donald Trump has said publicly that allowing US-made long-range missiles inside Russia was a big mistake, saying he “very vehemently” disagrees with the decision.  

Speaking on condition of anonymity to the New York Times, two US officials also said Ukraine is unlikely to be able to replenish its missile stockpiles. Washington has already assigned its own limited arsenal of Atacms to destinations in Asia and the Middle East.