After ATACMS missiles, antipersonnel mines. The United States announced Tuesday that it will supply “non-persistent antipersonnel mines” to Ukraine. Objective ? Strengthen Ukrainian defenses against the Russian invasion.
A decision which comes after the green light given on Sunday by President Joe Biden to Ukraine for the use against Russian territory of ATACMS missiles, with a range of 300 km, supplied by the United States. Here is what we know about the announcement of the supply of this very controversial weapon.
What is a non-persistent antipersonnel mine?
As its name suggests, the idea of these mines is that they do not persist over time where they were laid, thus avoiding causing prolonged damage to the population. These are mines equipped with a self-destruction or self-deactivation device. The battery needed to explode also eventually runs out.
A report from the International Committee of the Red Cross points out that “out of 124 different models of antipersonnel mines listed, we found only four models to be equipped with a self-neutralization device. » These models are equipped with “programmable systems in an interval ranging from a few hours to a few weeks, or even several months. »
But, “the reliability of these devices, according to certain experts, is not always sufficient and everyone agrees that they are not immune to accidental malfunction which is always possible. In principle, these devices should not be damaged or influenced by climatic and environmental conditions. » “These mechanisms are not 100% safe” confirmed this Wednesday Tamar Gabelnick, director of the International Campaign to Ban Mines (ICBL) and “consequently, once put in place, these mines can still constitute a danger for people. civilians and soldiers. Deminers must continue to carry out the costly, time-consuming and dangerous task of clearing them with the same care as any active mine that could explode.”
Some 164 countries, including Ukraine, have signed an international treaty banning the use of antipersonnel mines, stressing that these indiscriminate weapons can cause lasting harm to civilians. Neither Russia nor the United States, which are among the main holders of antipersonnel mines, have signed this Ottawa treaty.
Why supply such weapons to Ukraine?
Washington hopes through this measure to help slow the advance of the Russian army in the East, two American officials told the Washington Postwhich revealed this announcement on Tuesday. Minefields are generally put in place, either to delay the enemy's advance, or to divert him from his route by forcing him to penetrate into more easily defendable areas. These mines would thus be intended to be used on Ukrainian territory, particularly in the East. Ukraine is said to have committed not to use these mines in areas heavily populated by its own civilians.
Joe Biden has so far been reluctant to provide this very controversial type of mines to Ukraine. But Russia's recent progress on the battlefield seems to force the White House to find new ways to help kyiv, especially after Donald Trump's victory in the presidential election, since the latter could review American aid to Ukraine.
How is Russia reacting?
Russia on Wednesday accused the United States of prolonging the war by increasing its arms deliveries to kyiv. “They are fully dedicated to prolonging the war in Ukraine and are doing everything they can to this end,” responded Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, while reporting that he could not confirm that Washington would provide Kiev with antipersonnel mines.
But Russia, for its part, has also deployed anti-personnel landmines on the front lines since the start of the war, to slow the progress of Ukrainian troops.
A decision condemned by an organization fighting anti-personnel mines
Contacted by 20 Minutesthe International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) “condemns in the strongest terms the decision announced by the Biden administration to transfer antipersonnel mines to Ukraine” and “strongly urges the US government to reverse its decision.”
“These horrific and indiscriminate weapons were banned by the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty because of their devastating impact on civilian lives and livelihoods, and there are no circumstances in which Ukraine, in as a State Party, can acquire, store or use them,” recalls Tamar Gabelnick, director of the ICBL. “When the Mine Ban Treaty was negotiated, States were firmly committed to the idea that there should be no exceptions or loopholes for antipersonnel mines, including mines equipped with so-called self-destruct mechanisms. or auto-deactivation. »
Tamar Gabelnick also believes that “Ukraine is already facing many years of mine clearance due to the massive use of landmines by Russia; it must not aggravate the contamination itself, knowing the impact this will have on its own population in the decades to come. »
