Biden Approves Anti-Personnel Mines for Ukraine

US President Joe Biden has consented to provide Ukraine with anti-personnel land mines, according to reports.

This move is perceived as a strategy to impede the advance of Russian troops, who have been making steady gains in eastern Ukraine over recent months. The BBC cites an unnamed US defence official as the source of this information. The official noted that the mines would be dispatched shortly and are meant for deployment on Ukrainian territory. Furthermore, Ukraine has assured that these mines will not be used in heavily populated regions.

In a separate statement, the US embassy in Kyiv reported receiving specific intelligence about a potential significant air attack on 20 November. Consequently, “the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place.” The embassy also recommended that US citizens in Ukraine be prepared to seek immediate shelter if an air alert is issued.

Both Ukraine and Russia reported significant drone attacks on their territories overnight, though it was not immediately clear if there were any casualties.

The provision of anti-personnel land mines is one of the final measures by the outgoing US administration to support Ukraine’s defence efforts before Donald Trump returns to the White House on 20 January. While Russia has used landmines extensively since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, international concerns about the civilian risks associated with such weapons had previously prevented the Biden administration from approving their use.

The US defence official confirmed that Ukraine has committed to using only mines that remain active for a limited time. Unlike Russian mines, which can remain dangerous indefinitely, US “non-persistent” mines become inert after a preset period, ranging from four hours to two weeks. These mines are electrically fused and require battery power to detonate; once the battery is depleted, it becomes harmless.

In addition to these anti-personnel mines, the US has been providing Ukraine with anti-tank mines. The newly supplied mines, which can be rapidly deployed, are intended to hinder the advancement of ground forces.

Frances Ibiefo

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