The United States has approved the delivery of anti-personnel land mines to Ukraine, a move aimed at slowing Russia’s advances in the eastern regions of the war-torn country. A US defense official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the decision, which has drawn international attention given the controversial nature of these weapons.
The official stated that Ukraine pledged to restrict the use of the mines to non-populated areas and emphasized that these weapons would only be deployed on Ukrainian territory. The mines supplied by the US are “non-persistent,” designed to become inert after a pre-set period ranging from four hours to two weeks, minimizing long-term risks to civilians.
The decision marks a shift in Washington’s stance on anti-personnel mines, which had previously been avoided due to international concerns about their impact on civilians. Russia, which has extensively used land mines since its full-scale invasion in February 2022, has faced widespread condemnation for the practice.
This move follows recent strikes involving US-provided Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which have been used to target locations inside Russia. Reports suggest that Ukrainian forces launched missiles at Russia’s Bryansk region earlier this week, with differing accounts on their effectiveness. While Russia claims to have intercepted five out of six missiles, US sources report only two interceptions out of eight launched.
In response to these developments, Russian President Vladimir Putin has updated the country’s nuclear doctrine to treat attacks from non-nuclear states supported by nuclear powers as joint assaults. This change has heightened fears of escalation, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accusing the US of fueling the conflict.
Amid these escalating hostilities, the US State Department announced the temporary closure of its embassy in Kyiv, citing credible intelligence of a potential significant air attack. Embassy staff have been instructed to shelter in place, and US citizens in Ukraine were advised to be prepared for immediate air alerts.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller condemned Russia’s nuclear rhetoric, calling it an attempt to intimidate Ukraine and its allies. The provision of anti-personnel mines, coupled with advanced missile systems, underscores the Biden administration’s efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s defense before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in January.
As drone attacks and missile strikes intensify on both sides, the conflict shows no signs of abating, raising concerns about the humanitarian and geopolitical fallout.