There are growing indications that Ukraine could receive longer-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missile variants from the U.S. military in January of next year. Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, stated today that her country’s military needs more “game changers” like ATACMS to maintain pressure on Russian forces. Markarova emphasized Ukraine’s recent ATACMS strikes on Russian-occupied airfields as examples of game-changing capabilities. These strikes have had significant operational impacts on Russian forces. Markarova also discussed the value of longer-range ATACMS variants, which Ukrainian forces have not yet received but hope to acquire in the future. She stressed the need for longer range capability to effectively change the situation on the ground and threaten Russian logistical channels. Ukraine’s foreign partners are expected to supply missiles with a 300-kilometer range to Ukraine starting in January of next year, which is likely referencing the longer-range ATACMS variants. These longer-range missiles would greatly support Ukraine’s efforts to push Russian forces further back.
In addition to ATACMS missiles, the U.S. military has also provided Ukraine with additional rounds for their High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), as well as various other supplies and munitions. Ukrainian forces continue to engage in major fighting along the front lines in eastern and southern Ukraine, necessitating a steady stream of aid. Russian forces have been attempting to capture the town of Avdiivka for several weeks now, but Ukraine’s defense has prevented significant progress from being made. Ukraine is also engaged in offensive operations in the Bakhmut region and is pushing to cross the Dnipro River in the Kherson region. The U.K. Ministry of Defense has reported that Russian bombers have not carried out any air-launched cruise missile strikes on Ukraine in over a month, speculating that this could be due to a need to replenish cruise missile stocks. However, other Russian combat aircraft continue to conduct strikes using various munitions. Russian forces are also targeting Ukraine’s energy and civilian infrastructure, particularly its grain exports, and there are reports of naval mines deployed near Ukraine’s port city of Odesa.
