The US has announced it will provide Ukraine with antipersonnel land mines, a move that expands the use of a weapon widely condemned for its danger to civilians. The decision reflects a shift in American policy on the issue, which has evolved over the past 30 years.
According to US officials, the mines are needed to help Ukraine stall Russian progress on the battlefield, where Moscow’s forces are moving in smaller ground units rather than heavily protected armored vehicles. The Defense Department has been providing Ukraine with anti-tank mines throughout the war.
The new policy gives Ukraine “nonpersistent antipersonnel land mines” that lose their ability to detonate over time, making them safer for use in populated areas. However, critics argue that even these types of mines pose a risk to civilians.
Humanitarian groups have long pushed the US to join the 1997 Ottawa Convention banning the use of land mines. The treaty has been ratified by 164 countries, but major powers including the US, China, and Russia are among those who have not signed on.
The decision was condemned by Amnesty International, which said it was a “reckless” move that puts civilians at risk. The Biden administration’s shift on antipersonnel mines comes ahead of President-elect Donald Trump taking office on January 20, when he has vowed to quickly end the war in Ukraine.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-land-mines-civilians-biden-76fb21ce12f70aa965d3d7fbccb35c9c