Russia-Ukraine War: Biden approves anti-personnel mines for Ukraine

U.S President Joe Biden has approved the provision of anti-personnel land mines to Ukraine.

This is a step that could help slow Russian advances in its east, especially when used along with other munitions from the United States, according to an official.

The U.S expects Ukraine to use the mines on its own land, but it has agreed not to use them in regions populated by its own citizens, according to the official.

The United States has provided Ukraine with anti-tank mines throughout its war with Russia, but the addition of anti-personnel mines aims at blunting the advance of Russian ground troops, the official added, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The U.S mines differ from Russia’s as they are “non-persistent”, and become inert after a preset period, the official said.
They require a battery to detonate, and will not explode once the battery runs out.

Ukraine utilized US ATACMS missiles to hit Russian territory on Tuesday (November 19), taking advantage of newly granted authority from Biden’s outgoing administration on the 1,000th day of the war.

Moscow said the use of ATACMS, the longest-range missiles Washington has ever delivered to Ukraine, was a clear signal that the West intended to intensify the conflict.

The move came after months of warnings to the West that if Washington permitted Ukraine to fire US, British, and French missiles far into Russia, Moscow would consider those NATO countries directly engaged in the conflict in Ukraine.