U.S. Approves Anti-Personnel Mines For Ukraine In Bold Policy Shift

The Biden administration has approved the deployment of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine for the first time, marking another significant shift in U.S. policy, according to two U.S. officials. This decision follows the recent approval for Ukraine to use long-range U.S. missiles against Russian targets after months of lobbying by Kyiv.  

The mines are intended to bolster Ukrainian defenses in the eastern regions, where intense battles have seen Russian forces make incremental gains against Ukraine's defensive lines. While Moscow has incurred significant losses—Ukraine claims this week marked Russia's highest casualties to date—Russia’s relentless assaults and Ukraine's manpower and ammunition shortages have allowed Russian forces to gradually seize more territory.  

The U.S. has clarified that these mines are to be used strictly within Ukraine's sovereign borders for defensive purposes, not for offensive actions in Russia. Furthermore, the Biden administration has sought assurances from Kyiv to minimize risks to civilians.  

A Controversial Decision  

The move to supply anti-personnel mines is a departure from previous U.S. policy, reflecting the evolving nature of the war. Since the conflict's early days, the U.S. has supplied Ukraine with anti-tank mines to counter Russia's superior armored forces. However, anti-personnel mines had been off the table due to their indiscriminate lethality and long-term risks.  

Human rights groups have consistently condemned the use of anti-personnel mines, which can remain lethal for years after conflicts end. In June 2022, the Biden administration pledged to limit their use globally, committing to stop developing or exporting such mines and to destroy existing stockpiles—except those reserved for South Korea’s defense.  

Technology with a Lifespan  

To address safety concerns, the mines provided to Ukraine will be "non-persistent." According to U.S. officials, these mines are equipped with mechanisms that deactivate after a set period, ranging from four hours to two weeks. They rely on battery-powered electrical fuses, rendering the mines inert once the batteries are depleted.  

A Tactical Response to Russian Aggression  

Russia has heavily utilized anti-personnel and anti-tank mines throughout the conflict, establishing dense minefields to hinder Ukrainian counterattacks. Ukrainian officials have described the extent of these minefields as overwhelming, with one calling them “insane” during last summer’s failed counteroffensive.  

This latest U.S. decision, reported first by The Washington Post, underscores the urgency of bolstering Ukraine's defensive capabilities amid a grinding war of attrition. As the Biden administration nears its conclusion, this policy change represents a bold recalibration in the U.S. approach to the conflict in Ukraine.