US President Joe Biden has sanctioned the provision of anti-personnel land mines to Ukraine, a measure interpreted as an effort to hinder the progress of Russian forces, which have been steadily advancing in eastern Ukraine in recent months.
A US defense official, speaking anonymously, revealed that these mines would soon be dispatched and are intended strictly for deployment within Ukraine’s territory. The official also stated that Ukraine had agreed not to use the mines in heavily populated areas.
In a separate development, the US State Department announced the temporary closure of its embassy in Kyiv, citing “specific information of a potential significant air attack on 20 November.
The statement read, “Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place. The US embassy recommends US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.”
Meanwhile, reports from both Ukraine and Russia indicated significant drone strikes on their respective territories overnight. However, information on casualties remained unavailable at the time of reporting.
The decision to supply anti-personnel mines marks a new phase in Washington’s assistance to Ukraine’s war effort. Previously, international concerns regarding civilian safety had deterred the Biden administration from endorsing their use. However, the US-made mines differ from those employed by Russia.
Unlike traditional mines, these “non-persistent” versions are engineered to become inactive after a pre-determined timeframe, ranging from four hours to two weeks. They rely on electrical fuses and battery power for detonation, rendering them harmless once the battery depletes.
The US has already delivered anti-tank mines to Ukraine, but these newly authorized anti-personnel devices—designed for rapid deployment—are aimed at curbing the movement of enemy ground forces.
Earlier this week, confirmation emerged that US-supplied longer-range Army Tactical Missile System (Atacms) missiles had struck targets within Russian territory. Reports suggest the strikes targeted the Bryansk region bordering northern Ukraine, causing a fire at a military facility.
While Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have intercepted five of the missiles, US officials countered that only two of approximately eight fired were successfully neutralized. These conflicting figures remain unverified.
Reacting to the missile attacks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the United States of escalating the conflict, with the Kremlin pledging of retaliation.
In a parallel development, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved amendments to the nation’s nuclear doctrine. The revised policy now equates an assault by a non-nuclear state—if backed by a nuclear power—to a coordinated attack on Russia.
Addressing these changes, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller criticized Russia’s actions, stating: “Since the beginning of its war of aggression against Ukraine, [Russia] has sought to coerce and intimidate both Ukraine and other countries around the world through irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and behaviour.”
As tensions continue to rise, Washington’s latest moves indicate a shift in its approach to supporting Ukraine amid the prolonged conflict.
(BBC)
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