Anti-personnel mines to be delivered to Ukraine from US
American President Joe Biden has agreed to give Ukraine anti-personnel land mines, according to a US defence official. The move is seen as an attempt to slow down Russian troops who, in recent months, have been steadily advancing through the east of Ukraine.
The official, who spoke anonymously to the BBC, said that anti-personnel mines would be delivered soon and that the US expects that they would be used within Ukrainian territory. Kyiv has said that it remains committed to not using the anti-personnel mines in any densely populated areas, according to the same official.
The US State Department has also said that it would close its embassy in Ukraine, after hearing information about the potential of significant air attacks.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place,” it said in a statement. “The US embassy recommends US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.”
Both Ukraine and Russia reported major drone attacks within their own territories. It was not known immediately if there had been any casualties.
Providing anti-personnel land mines is the latest move from the outgoing American administration to strengthen the Ukrainian effort before Donald Trump returns to office in January.
Russia has previously used landmines “liberally” since the beginning of the war in 2022 when it started the full-scale invasion. International objections to such weapons on the grounds of a civilian risk has previously prevented the Biden administration from singing off on them.
The American defence official confirmed when speaking to the BBC that Ukraine would only use anti-personnel mines that remain active for a limited period of time. America’s “non-persistent” mines differ from those used by Russia because they become inert after a pre-determined perio of time, between four hours and two weeks. They use an electronic fuse that requires a battery to detonate.
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