US President Joe Biden has approved the supply of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, according to what officials from his administration have informed several US media outlets, including the Washington Post.
The United States expects Ukraine to use mines on its own territory and has pledged not to use them in areas populated by its own civilians, according to a source who asked not to be identified and declared to the Washington Post, the first media to report this news. Ukraine’s support for Ukraine in its war against the invasion of Russian troops.
Biden, who will cede power next January to Republican Donald Trump, winner of the November 5 elections and supporter of a rapid solution to the conflict through concessions from Ukraine, recently authorized kyiv to use long-range missiles. ATACMS scope against Russian territory. , an important step in the war which began in February 2022 and which marked 1,000 days yesterday, Tuesday.
Russia accused the outgoing US president of having “poured fuel on the fire” with this decision which now strengthens deliveries of anti-personnel mines.
The Washington Post notes in this regard that “sending antipersonnel mines to Ukraine is also potentially controversial, although in a different group: more than 160 countries have signed an international treaty banning their use, emphasizing that indiscriminate weapons can cause harm.” lasting harm to civilians.” .”
However, Volodomir Zelensky’s government, the newspaper adds, has been searching for them since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and Russian forces have liberally deployed antipersonnel mines on the front lines, preventing Ukraine from advancing in its territory. attempt to recover its own territory.
One of the four sources consulted by the newspaper clarified that the type of antipersonnel mine that will be delivered to Ukraine is “non-persistent,” meaning that the devices self-destruct or lose battery charge and become inactive. in a few days. or weeks, thereby reducing the danger to civilians.
The official said Ukrainian policymakers have pledged not to deploy mines in densely populated areas but, according to the newspaper, arms control experts say even non-persistent mines pose a security danger.
“Russia is attacking the Ukrainian lines in the east with waves of troops, regardless of the losses they suffer. So it is obvious that the Ukrainians are suffering losses and more cities are at risk of falling. “These mines were specifically designed to combat this,” one of the sources said.
“When used in conjunction with the other munitions we already supply to Ukraine, the intention is that they contribute to a more effective defense,” he added.
