ATACMS Hits Ammunition Depot in Russia. Here’s How the US Missile’s Range Is Reshaping Ukraine’s Defense

Before dawn on November 19, explosions lit up the night sky in Russia’s Bryansk region, tearing through an ammunition depot at the 1046th Material and Technical Support Center. Despite Russia’s claims of intercepted missiles, the repeated detonations told a different story. Ukraine successfully deployed US-supplied ATACMS missiles (CNN / Reuters).

As of mid-November 2024, Ukraine has the authorization to target military sites within Russian territory using American ATACMS missiles, which have an impressive range of 300 kilometers. This allows Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory from its border’s edge.

The ammunition depot near Russia’s town of Karachev, located roughly 175 kilometers from the Ukrainian city of Hlukhiv in the Sumy region, lies well within the ATACMS’ operational range. True to form, Ukraine targeted a military site, successfully destroying a weapons depot. On the same day, Russia launched an attack on Hlukhiv, killing and injuring several civilians.

ATACMS strikes

The ATACMS system represents a vital addition to Ukraine’s arsenal. Its range places dozens of Russian airfields and over 200 military targets within striking distance. The US-based think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) identified 225 critical sites.

While ATACMS missiles won’t single-handedly decide the war’s outcome, they provide Ukraine with the capability to strike Russian command posts, large troop concentrations, and, most critically, weapon depots. These depots, positioned closer to the frontlines to expedite resupply efforts, are vital to sustaining Russia’s forces—and prime targets for disruption.

ATACMS can target high-value Russian equipment such as S-300 and S-400 air defense systems. Eliminating these defenses could pave the way for Ukraine’s long-range strikes on military targets deeper into Russia or improve the safety of Ukrainian aircraft operating near the frontlines. The potential threat to Russian airbases could force their aircraft to relocate further from the battlefield, reducing flexibility and operational efficiency.

Storm Shadow and SCALP

The US decision could also influence allies like the UK and France to authorize the use of their Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles against Russian targets. These missiles, with a range of up to 500 kilometers, could hit several large Russian ammunition depots currently beyond the reach of ATACMS.

Ukraine already has a proven track record with these systems. Previous strikes using Storm Shadow and SCALP partially neutralized Russia’s Black Sea Fleet and other strategic military assets.

Quantity, the key issue

Greenlighting long-range strikes is just the start. Ukraine needs a steady flow of ATACMS to keep hitting Russia’s critical targets like airfields and massive ammunition depots. With the US holding over 2,000 of these missiles—half nearing decommissioning—redirecting them to Ukraine could supercharge its defense and dismantle Russia’s war machine.