What You Need to Know: The Biden administration has approved the transfer of anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine, aiming to strengthen defensive lines amid ongoing Russian aggression. This controversial decision diverges from the U.S.'s prior restrictions on such transfers, though the provided mines are "non-persistent," designed to self-deactivate after a set period (four hours to two weeks).
-Critics, including the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, warn of the long-term dangers to civilians, while supporters argue the mines are vital to Ukraine’s defense.
-With Russian forces bolstered by North Korean "volunteers," the landmines could play a critical role in slowing any impending offensives.
It was announced on Wednesday that the Biden administration approved the transfer of American-made anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine. The mines will be used to enhance Ukraine's defensive lines, and the decision comes days after President Joe Biden granted Kyiv permission to fire long-range American missiles at targets within Russia, a change of the long-standing policy that limited how Ukrainian forces could employ U.S. weapons.
The decision to provide the anti-personnel mines is not without........