US President Joe Biden agrees to give Ukraine anti-personnel mines | BBC News

Summary

The U.S. is set to supply Ukraine with controversial anti-personnel landmines to curb Russian advances in Ukrainian territory. Despite being banned in many countries, these landmines are seen as essential for countering Russian infiltration tactics. The landmines are designed to be non-persistent, deactivating after a short period. This move, along with U.S. missile support, aims to strengthen Ukraine's defense. However, Russia condemns the escalation, and there are growing concerns about the potential for further international tension, especially with ongoing threats of airstrikes and nuclear retaliation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Biden Administration has confirmed it will provide Ukraine with anti-personnel landmines, a controversial decision given the weapon's ban in many countries.
• 😀 Anti-personnel landmines are banned under the 1997 Ottawa Treaty, but the US, Russia, China, and India are not signatories.
• 😀 The US is providing 'nonpersistent' landmines to Ukraine, which are designed to deactivate after a set time, reducing the risk to civilians once they stop working.
• 😀 The US's decision to send these landmines comes after restoring policies similar to those under Barack Obama, who had intended to sign the Ottawa Treaty before Trump reversed the stance in 2020.
• 😀 The landmines will be used by Ukraine to prevent Russian forces from advancing, particularly in agricultural areas with sparse population density.
• 😀 Ukraine has successfully struck a large ammunition warehouse deep within Russian territory, marking the first use of American-provided attack missiles on Russian soil.
• 😀 The US Embassy in Kyiv has issued airstrike warnings and evacuated staff to shelters in response to a potential Russian air attack.
• 😀 Russia has condemned the increased military support from Ukraine's Western allies, particularly the use of long-range missiles and now landmines, calling it an escalation of the conflict.
• 😀 The landmines are intended to combat Russian tactics, where small teams infiltrate Ukrainian defenses to distract and preoccupy them, allowing larger Russian forces to advance.
• 😀 The situation reflects broader shifts in international law regarding the use of weapons in modern warfare, particularly regarding the balance of power between Ukraine and Russia in the conflict.

Q & A

Why is the Biden administration sending anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine?

The Biden administration is sending anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine to help prevent Russian advances, particularly in the eastern agricultural regions. These mines are intended to target small Russian units attempting to infiltrate Ukrainian positions.

What is the significance of the 1997 Ottawa Treaty in relation to the US decision?

The 1997 Ottawa Treaty bans the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines, with 164 countries being signatories. Ukraine, however, is one of the countries that signed the treaty, while the US, Russia, China, and India did not.

How does the US plan to mitigate the risks of anti-personnel landmines in Ukraine?

The US has committed to providing nonpersistent anti-personnel mines, which are designed to deactivate after a set period of time, reducing the long-term risk to civilians. These mines will not be used in built-up areas, further limiting the potential for civilian harm.

What is the main military strategy behind providing these landmines to Ukraine?

The landmines are part of a strategy to counter Russian small-unit tactics, which involve sending small teams behind Ukrainian lines to preoccupy their defenses. The mines are intended to disrupt these infiltration efforts and slow down the Russian advance.

How did Ukraine use the new long-range missiles provided by the US?

Ukraine used the long-range missiles to strike a large ammunition depot inside Russia, marking the first known attack using US-provided missiles on Russian soil. This attack caused significant explosions and was seen as a major escalation in the conflict.

What does the closure of the US Embassy in Kyiv indicate about the situation in Ukraine?

The closure of the US Embassy in Kyiv, following warnings of a potential airstrike, highlights the ongoing threats and dangers faced by foreign diplomats and civilians in Ukraine. It also indicates the precarious security situation in the region.

How does Russia view the increased military support for Ukraine from the US and its allies?

Russia views the increased military support, including the provision of long-range missiles and landmines, as an escalation of the conflict. The Kremlin has warned that such actions may provoke further retaliation, including nuclear threats.

Why is Russia using North Korean and Iranian weaponry, as mentioned in the transcript?

Russia is using North Korean and Iranian weaponry as part of its ongoing military efforts in Ukraine, likely due to supply shortages and the need to sustain its military operations against Ukraine. This indicates a reliance on non-Western sources for arms amid sanctions and trade restrictions.

What is the significance of Vladimir Putin signing a nuclear decree, as referenced in the transcript?

Vladimir Putin signing a nuclear decree that makes it easier to deploy nuclear weapons is a strategic message to the West, particularly Ukraine's allies, signaling that Russia may escalate the conflict to nuclear warfare if military support to Ukraine continues.

How does the use of landmines and long-range missiles help Ukraine in its military strategy?

The use of landmines helps to disrupt Russian infiltration tactics, while long-range missiles allow Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory, targeting key military assets like ammunition depots. Both strategies are aimed at weakening Russian advances and gaining a tactical advantage in the conflict.