The United States will provide non-persistent antipersonnel mines to Ukraine to slow the advance of Russian forces in the east of the country, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed Wednesday. Moscow again reacted with fury. Deciphering this new chapter in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
What are non-persistent antipersonnel mines?
These are mines equipped with a device that automatically deactivates the device after a defined period. It is in fact the charge of the battery – used to detonate the mine – which ends up emptying.
In contrast, traditional antipersonnel mines remain active after the end of an armed conflict.
There are also anti-tank mines, widely used on battlefields, used to neutralize military vehicles.
Why does Ukraine want to use antipersonnel mines on the battlefield?
Mines, which can be dropped from the air and therefore spread over large areas, serve to slow down the advance of enemy troops, who are then forced to clear a territory before conquering it.
Ukraine has requested antipersonnel mines from the United States because of the Russians’ change in tactics on the ground, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday. The Russian army is now relying on its infantry rather than its armored vehicles to break through the front line. “Their mechanized forces are no longer in the lead. They’re moving forward on foot in a way that they’re approaching and doing things to clear the way for the mechanized forces,” Austin said. He added that Ukraine therefore “needs equipment that can help slow down this effort.”
With the help of anti-personnel mines, Ukrainian troops hope they will be able to stop the rapid advance of the Russian army in the east of the country.
Since the start of the war, Russia has extensively mined the front line – including residential areas – which has harmed the Ukrainian counter-offensive launched last year.
Why is this a controversial decision?
Antipersonnel mines do not distinguish between civilians and military personnel. Even though mines are programmed to deactivate after a certain period of time, they can cause civilian casualties during or even after an armed conflict.
Mines are inexpensive weapons hidden in the ground and generally designed to maim rather than kill, since treating a wounded person requires more resources on a battlefield.
According to data published Wednesday by the Landmine Monitor, these weapons killed or injured 5,757 people in 2023, which represents an increase of 22% compared to 2022.
In 1999, the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention — also known as the Ottawa Convention — prohibiting the use, stockpiling and transfer of these weapons, came into force. Some 164 countries, including Ukraine, have ratified it.
Major military powers like the United States and Russia, as well as China, India and Pakistan, have not signed it.
The United States nevertheless supports the principles of the convention and funds its efforts. The country has not reportedly used landmines since the Gulf War in 1991, with the exception of an incident in Afghanistan in 2002.
In a statement released Wednesday, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines “strongly condemned” the Biden administration’s decision. “This decision is unacceptable and represents a serious setback in the global fight against mines,” said the organization’s director, Tamar Gabelnick.
How did Russia react?
Moscow once again responded forcefully on Wednesday.
By increasing its arms supplies to Ukraine, the United States is “fully committed to prolonging the war in Ukraine and is doing everything it can to this end,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry said. Peskov.
Recall that, in recent days, the White House authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles supplied by the United States to target military targets on Russian territory. A first strike on an arms warehouse in the Bryansk region was carried out on Tuesday morning.
On Wednesday, British media reported that Downing Street had also given its approval, allowing Ukraine to launch long-range British Storm Shadow missiles towards Russia for the first time.
Russia and Ukraine are both trying to make inroads on the battlefield before Donald Trump arrives at the White House, who has promised peace talks.
