US Decision to Permit ATACMS Use Seen as ‘Too Late’ by Ukrainian Serviceman

The United States‘ recent decision to allow Ukraine to utilize high-precision Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMSs) for strikes in Russia has been criticized by some as being «too late.» This sentiment was voiced by Vitaly, a Ukrainian serviceman injured in the conflict, who shared his views with Al Jazeera while navigating Kyiv on crutches.

«Outgoing President Joe Biden should have permitted us to use them without restrictions two years ago,» stated the 29-year-old Vitaly, who withheld his surname due to wartime regulations. He added, «We were pushing Russians out of Kharkiv and could have taken the war to their territory.»

Since those earlier opportunities, Russia has mobilized a significant force, increased arms production, secured weapons from Iran and North Korea, and bypassed Western sanctions to acquire dual-use items like drone chips. According to Vitaly, «It’s too late now, because Russians have grown stronger.»

Last year, the US delivered the first ATACMS missiles to Ukraine but restricted their use for deep strikes into Russian territory. This recent policy shift was reported by several Western media outlets, though official confirmation from the White House and Pentagon remains absent.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a video message, suggested a practical approach, asserting that «strikes are not made with words» and emphasizing that «the missiles will speak for themselves.» The Kremlin criticized this development, with President Vladimir Putin signing a new decree seen as a counter-move, indicating tensions following US authorization of these Ukrainian strikes.

The decree suggests any attack on Russia by countries supported by a nuclear power would be perceived as a joint attack, as explained by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov. Meanwhile, criticism also came from Hungary and Slovakia, countries with governments leaning towards Moscow.

Some analysts, including Kyiv-based Aleksey Kushch, infer Biden’s decision might be aimed at shaping his political legacy. «This is perhaps a last note for his memoirs, an effort to declare ‘I did all I could’ before exiting,» Kushch told Al Jazeera.

As Biden’s term nears its end, his administration’s rush in supplying military assistance contrasts with President-elect Donald Trump’s stated skepticism about continued support, advocating for a peace deal with Russia that could recognize occupied Ukrainian territories as part of Russia.

Regarding the military utility of ATACMS, experts warn against overestimating their impact. Nikolay Mitrokhin, a researcher at Germany’s Bremen University, remarked that «the damage they cause is always limited,» especially given their anticipated use by Russia to relocate military assets beyond their range.

Though capable of targeting strategic sites such as bridges and fuel depots, Ukrainian forces continue to face larger systemic challenges. According to Mitrokhin, Ukraine’s primary issue remains a stretched frontline with diminishing personnel numbers.

Lieutenant General Ihor Romanenko, a former senior official in Ukraine’s military, stressed the necessity of achieving parity in weaponry with Russia, pointing out that recent Russian advancements, such as equipping bombs with propulsion systems, underscore this gap.

Ukraine’s struggle to manufacture essential arms compounds these difficulties, with shortages worsened by reductions in Western arms production since the Cold War. Romanenko emphasized the importance of accelerating mobilization and training for Ukrainian servicemen as critical to improving the military situation.