Biden Administration Approves Supply of Antipersonnel Landmines to Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict
In a controversial move, President Joe Biden has authorized the supply of antipersonnel landmines to Ukraine, a decision communicated by officials from his Administration to various media outlets, including The Washington Post. This military support comes as Ukraine continues to fight against invading Russian forces and marks a significant escalation in U.S. involvement in the conflict that began over 1,000 days ago in February 2022.
Officials revealed that the U.S. expects Ukraine to utilize these mines exclusively on its own territory and has made a commitment to avoid using them in populated civilian areas. These guidelines were discussed confidentially, as the source requested anonymity to disclose sensitive information.
This decision happens as Biden prepares to hand over power in January to Republican Donald Trump, who recently won the elections on November 5 and has pushed for a quick resolution to the conflict through concessions from Ukraine. Earlier, Biden had also authorized Kyiv to use long-range ATACMS missiles against Russian territory, marking another milestone in this protracted war.
Russia's government has condemned Biden's actions, accusing him of exacerbating the conflict by reinforcing military aid to Ukraine, particularly with the controversial decision to supply antipersonnel landmines. The Washington Post highlighted that the shipment of these mines could provoke further controversy, given that more than 160 countries have signed an international treaty—known as the Ottawa Treaty—prohibiting their use due to the indiscriminate nature of such weapons and the long-term harm they cause to civilians.
Despite this international sentiment, the Ukrainian government, led by President Volodymyr Zelensky, has actively sought these mines since Russia's initial invasion in 2022. Russian forces have deployed significant quantities of antipersonnel mines along the frontline, hampering Ukraine's attempts to recover its territory.
One source consulted by The Washington Post indicated that the U.S. will provide nonpersistent antipersonnel mines. This type of mine self-destructs or depletes its battery charge within days or weeks, which theoretically reduces risks to civilians. Nonetheless, arms control experts caution that even these nonpersistent mines carry security risks.
As the conflict heats up, Russia has been attacking Ukrainian positions relentlessly, resulting in mounting casualties. This heightened military action coincides with a report released this Wednesday indicating a 22% increase in casualties from antipersonnel mines in 2023 compared to the previous year, totaling 5,757 victims. The report from the International Campaign to Ban Landmines—a coalition of organizations recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997—shows that among the confirmed victims, at least 1,983 have died and 3,663 were injured this year alone.
Ukraine ranked third among the countries most affected by antipersonnel mines, with 580 casualties this year, following behind Myanmar and Syria. The report also highlighted a troubling trend regarding the use of these weapons in conflict zones, particularly across the Sahel region, where violence has surged and the civilian population bears the brunt of these attacks, with approximately 84% of victims being non-military.
The situation remains dire and complex as geopolitical stakes become increasingly entangled, prompting questions about military aid, humanitarian impacts, and long-term repercussions in the region.
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