Ukraine has reduced its use of Western long-range missiles, initially approved for targeting Russian military positions, due to dwindling supplies and limited effectiveness on the battlefield. Despite early use, the missiles have not significantly changed the course of the conflict, and with President-elect Donald Trump criticizing their deployment, time may be running out for Ukraine to rely on this support.

The battle has also not intensified as many had predicted. Although Russia launched a powerful new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile against a Ukrainian weapons site following the initial two rounds of Western long-range missiles, it has since replied with its typical combination of drones, missiles, and threats.

Two American officials who spoke anonymously told the New York Times they believe Russia is trying to avoid escalating military operations in Ukraine, especially with the election of Trump, a long-time war skeptic, and given Russia's recent battlefield successes.

The US initially delayed delivering Ukraine long-range ATACMS missiles owing to fears about intensifying the conflict with nuclear-armed Russia. However, in the spring, President Biden authorized the dispatch of up to 500 missiles from the Pentagon's inventory. While Ukraine cannot use them in Russia, they have targeted Russian-controlled locations in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, destroying command headquarters, weapons storage, and bunkers.

By then, Ukraine had just "tens of missiles" left, maybe 50, according to the two US sources. They warned it was unlikely to receive any more.

Ukraine has launched at least a half-dozen missile attacks since the US and UK provided authorization, employing at least 31 ATACMS and 14 Storm Shadows, according to the Russian Defense Ministry and Russian military bloggers. The Ukrainian military has not commented on the use of the missiles, but neither the US nor Ukraine has denied the claims.

Despite his public warnings, US officials believe Putin will not respond against ATACMS, risking more confrontation with Washington.

Moscow may expand its cyber or sabotage activities in Europe, but it is unlikely to directly target US interests, according to sources.

Putin's proposed solutions to Ukraine crisis not preconditions: Lavrov

The Ukraine crisis cannot be resolved in isolation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asserted on Wednesday, stressing that it should be addressed as part of broader peace and security arrangements in Europe.

"We have had no illusions and do not have any illusions regarding the prospects for an easy resolution of the Ukrainian crisis," Lavrov said in an interview for the Rossiya-1 TV channel, adding that any solutions Russian President Vladimir Putin presented as part of peace negotiations stem from international law and thus should not be regarded as "preconditions".

The statement follows comments from Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday, saying that Ukraine has shown no further willingness to negotiate, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of intentionally launching a large-scale attack on his country during Christmas.