President Joe Biden has approved the supply of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, a US official told Reuters, a step that could help slow Russian advances in its east, especially when used in conjunction with other munitions from the United States. The United States expects Ukraine to use mines on its own territory, although it has pledged not to use them in areas inhabited by its own civilians, the official said. The Washington Post first reported the development.
The United States has supplied Ukraine with anti-tank mines throughout the war with Russia, but the addition of the anti-personnel mines is intended to slow the advance of Russian ground troops, the official added, speaking on condition of anonymity.
American mines differ from Russian ones because they are “volatile” and become inert after a predetermined period, the official said. They require a battery to detonate and will not explode once the battery runs out.
On Tuesday, Ukraine used US ATACMS missiles to attack Russian territory, taking advantage of a new authorization from the Biden administration on the way to the 1,000th day of the war.
Moscow said that the use of ATACMS, the longest-range missile that Washington has so far delivered to Ukraine, was a clear signal that the West wanted to escalate the conflict.