US President Joe Biden has purportedly authorized the delivery of "nonpersistent" antipersonnel land mines to Ukraine in a move that aims to boost Kiev’s defenses against advancing Russian troops, according to the Washington Post.
The reported decision means Biden has effectively undone his own policy given that in 2022, he reversed what he described as a "reckless" step by the Trump administration that allowed antipersonnel landmines' wider use.
"It will put more civilians at risk of being injured by unexploded mines, and is unnecessary from a military perspective," Biden said at the time.
In a separate development last year, Russia's Permanent Mission to the UN sent a letter to the Security Council accusing Kiev of using scatterable PFM-1 (Lepestok) land antipersonnel mines against civilians in Donbass.
What are Antipersonnel Landmines?
They are encased explosive charge buried below the surface of the ground, typically detonated automatically by pressure when a target steps on it.
"Nonpersistent" mines are designed to self-destruct or lose battery charge to render them inactive within days or weeks. Arms control experts warn that even these mines could pose a safety hazard.
International Legislature Banning Them
Antipersonnel mines are seen as indiscriminate weapons, which can remain hazardous years after the end of a conflict, harming civilians.
To date, a total of 164 countries, including Ukraine, have signed the treaty, with "millions of mines destroyed and thousands of square kilometers of land cleared" thanks to the document, per UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Reaction to Biden's Move
Billionaire Elon Musk wrote on X that Biden "lost his mind," while Fox News described the outgoing POTUS’ decision as "yet another escalation in the conflict with Russia ahead of President-elect Trump's inauguration."
CNN in turn pointed out that the move is "another major policy shift" by Biden.
Reason for a Decision?
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin later in the day confirmed that the United States has begun supplying Ukraine with antipersonnel mines, explaining that the decision was made in response to changes in Russian military tactics. According to Austin, Russian forces increasingly initiate attacks with dismounted infantry units rather than leading with mechanized forces, a shift that prompted the need for such weapons.
Speaking at a press conference in Laos, Austin emphasized that the US had discussed with Ukraine responsible use of these mines, including mandatory registration of deployment sites and reliance on their self-destructing features. The Pentagon later released the transcript of his remarks.
Austin also noted that the US has been providing Ukraine with anti-tank mines since the beginning of the conflict but explained that Kiev's requests have evolved alongside changes in Russian tactics. He stated that the current focus is on meeting Ukraine's needs, adding that the request for antipersonnel mines reflects this shift. The defense secretary described the decision to supply the mines as "the right call."