US Provision of ATACMS to Ukraine Sparks International Tensions

The recent authorization by Washington to allow Kyiv to use high-precision Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMSs) against targets in Russia has sparked a range of reactions and concerns amidst ongoing conflict. According to Vitaly, a wounded Ukrainian serviceman who traverses Kyiv on crutches, this decision by outgoing United States President Joe Biden came «too late» for Ukraine’s efforts in the war. Vitaly conveyed to Al Jazeera that Biden «should have let us use them without any limits two years ago,» particularly when Ukrainian forces were pushing Russian troops out of Kharkiv.

During the time since, Moscow has bolstered its military capacity by mobilizing a significant number of men and enhancing its arms production. It has also secured weapons from Iran and North Korea and managed to circumvent Western sanctions to acquire dual-purpose items, such as drone-compatible chips. «It’s too late, because now, Russians are emboldened,» Vitaly stated, highlighting the challenges Ukraine faces as Russia strengthens its war efforts.

The United States provided the first batch of ATACMS to Ukraine last year, yet Kyiv was not permitted to use them for deep strikes into Russian territory. This decision, reported by several Western media outlets, has yet to be confirmed by the White House and the Pentagon. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refrained from making detailed comments in a video address, stating, «Strikes are not made with words. The missiles will speak for themselves.»

The Kremlin reacted predictably to Washington’s and Kyiv’s actions. On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a document indicating a rising «escalation course of our Western adversaries,» according to Russian officials. A Kremlin spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, remarked that the US decision indicates «a qualitatively new circle of tension» regarding US involvement in the conflict. Additionally, Hungary and Slovakia, which have governments sympathetic to Kremlin perspectives, have criticized the US move.

Some Ukrainian analysts, such as Kyiv-based Aleksey Kushch, suggest that Biden’s decision may be linked to concerns over his political legacy as his term draws to an end. He noted to Al Jazeera that «this is a final entry for memoirs…» Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump’s team, skeptical of continued support for Ukraine, may facilitate a peace deal with Moscow requiring concessions of currently occupied territories.

Despite their strategic potential, experts caution that ATACMS are not a «wonder weapon.» Nikolay Mitrokhin of Germany’s Bremen University remarked, «ATACMS, just like any other type of missiles, can’t change anything principally.» Russia has prepared for potential ATACMS deployments by relocating military assets beyond their reach, although Mitrokhin acknowledges they may still target logistical points in western Russia.

Lieutenant General Ihor Romanenko, former deputy head of Ukraine’s general staff, emphasized that Ukraine needs all available military support within its struggling defense lines. He highlights the urgency of «the ‘better-late-than-never’ rule» for missile use, as Russian advancements in weapon systems pose severe challenges for Ukrainian defenses.

Further exacerbating Ukraine’s position are difficulties in replenishing its forces and equipping them adequately. Despite volunteer efforts to create drones and devices, the production of fundamental weapons remains insufficient. A post-Cold War decline in Western arms manufacturing adds to the supply challenges, with external support only gradually increasing. Romanenko underscored the critical need for «parity at the very least,» calling for urgent enhancements in mobilizing and training servicemen to stabilize the situation.