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In a significant policy reversal, President Joe Biden’s administration has approved the transfer of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, according to a U.S. defense official who spoke to the BBC. The mines aim to hinder Russian troop advances in eastern Ukraine, but their deployment raises both strategic and ethical concerns.
- In a significant policy shift, the Biden administration has approved the transfer of “non-persistent” anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, aiming to hinder Russian advances while attempting to minimize risks to civilians.
- Human rights groups have sharply criticized the decision, arguing it undermines a 2022 U.S. commitment to limit the use and export of such weapons to humanitarian purposes like mine detection and removal.
- Heightened tensions in Ukraine have led to temporary embassy closures and increased warnings of large-scale air attacks, as drone strikes continue to target both Ukrainian and Russian territories.
- These developments align with broader U.S. policy changes, including relaxing restrictions on long-range weapons for Ukraine, potentially escalating the conflict while bolstering its military capabilities.
While the specific types of landmines to be supplied have not been publicly detailed, the U.S. has a history of producing and stockpiling various antipersonnel mines, such as the M14 and M16 series. These mines are designed to incapacitate personnel through blast or fragmentation effects. The decision to supply these weapons marks a significant policy shift, as the U.S. had previously committed to limiting the use of antipersonnel landmines outside the Korean Peninsula.
The mines provided will be “non-persistent,” designed to become inert after a preset period, according to the Epoch Times. This feature seeks to mitigate risks to civilians, a concern human rights groups have raised sharply. The Pentagon emphasized that Ukrainian forces have committed to avoiding the use of these mines in densely populated areas.
However, human rights groups have criticized the decision, calling it “frankly shocking,” as reported by Politico. Critics argue the move undermines a 2022 commitment by the Biden administration to limit the use of such weapons. At the time, the administration stated it would restrict their export unless for mine detection, removal, or destruction.
This decision comes amid heightened tensions in Ukraine. The U.S. and other embassies in Kyiv have temporarily closed following warnings of potential large-scale air attacks, the BBC reported. The Italian and Greek embassies have also closed temporarily, advising citizens to seek shelter during air raid alerts. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s defense intelligence has accused Russia of spreading warnings of missile strikes as part of a psychological operation.
Overnight, drone strikes hit both Russian and Ukrainian territories, but the scale of damage and casualties remains unclear. These developments coincide with a larger trend of policy shifts. Recently, the Biden administration has relaxed restrictions on long-range U.S.-donated weapons, increasing Ukraine’s capacity to strike targets deeper into Russian territory.
While these changes bolster Ukraine’s defensive and offensive capabilities, they also risk escalating the conflict. The Epoch Times noted that this move could exacerbate tensions, potentially complicating diplomatic efforts by the incoming administration.
As the conflict nears its fourth year, the decision to supply anti-personnel mines underscores the delicate balance between military necessity and humanitarian concerns.