Biden Approves Anti-personnel Mines to Ukraine
The Biden administration has made a significant policy shift by approving the delivery of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine for the first time. This decision follows the recent permission granted to Ukraine to fire long-range US missiles at Russian targets, a move that came after months of lobbying from Kyiv.
Ukraine will use these mines in the eastern part of the country to reinforce defensive lines against Russian troops, who have made steady progress despite suffering heavy casualties. The US aims to bolster Ukraine’s defenses within its sovereign territory, not to facilitate an offensive capability in Russia. Assurance has been sought from Ukraine to minimize civilian risks.
The type of mines provided will be “non-persistent,” featuring an internal mechanism that shortens the trigger’s lifespan. These mines become inert after a set period, ranging from four hours to two weeks, using an electrical fuse powered by a battery that renders the mine inactive when depleted.
This decision marks a departure from the Biden administration’s previous stance on anti-personnel mines, which was to limit their use worldwide due to concerns about their enduring danger and indiscriminate harm. Human rights groups have long criticized these mines for their potential to remain armed years after conflicts end.
In June 2022, the Biden administration pledged to restrict anti-personnel mine development, export, and stockpiling, except for South Korea. This sudden change in policy comes with only weeks left in the Biden administration.
Russia has employed anti-personnel and anti-tank mines since the war’s onset, establishing minefields to counter potential Ukrainian counterattacks. Ukraine has accused Russia of deploying PFM-1 mines, similar to the US-made BLU-43, which was used in the Vietnam War
Referenece and Citations:
- Indiatoday – Russia Ukraine conflict Joe Biden anti personnel land mines volodymyr zelenskyy
- France24 – no these videos don’t show Putins reaction to Biden giving Ukraine long range missile access
- CNN – Biden administration anti personnel mines Ukraine
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