The Biden administration will supply Ukraine with American-made antipersonnel land mines to slow Russia’s battlefield progress, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Wednesday.
The decision comes as Kyiv braces for potential Russian aerial attacks, prompting several Western embassies to temporarily close.
U.S. Shifts Policy on Land Mines
Speaking during a visit to Laos, Austin explained that the decision to supply land mines reflects a response to Russia’s evolving battlefield tactics. Russian forces, now relying more heavily on ground troops rather than armored carriers, have forced Ukraine to adapt its defensive strategies.
“There’s a need for tools that can slow down Russia’s advances,” Austin said, emphasizing that the land mines provided will be nonpersistent. These mines are designed to deactivate over time, minimizing long-term risks to civilians compared to traditional, persistent land mines.
Ukraine has already been manufacturing its own antipersonnel mines, but the U.S. supplies are expected to complement existing measures. Currently, the U.S. also provides Ukraine with antitank land mines, while Russia has routinely deployed land mines that remain active indefinitely.
Embassy Closures Signal Rising Risks
The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv and others from Spain, Italy, and Greece temporarily closed in response to warnings of a potential major Russian airstrike. The precautionary measure follows heightened tensions after President Biden authorized Ukraine to target Russian territory using U.S.-supplied missiles, a decision that infuriated Moscow.
Meanwhile, the U.K. and French embassies remained open. Western leaders have downplayed Russia’s threats, interpreting them as attempts to dissuade further military support for Ukraine.
Global Implications and Escalating Threats
As the war passes the 1,000-day mark, its international dimensions continue to expand. North Korea has reportedly sent artillery systems and troops to aid Russia, with some soldiers already engaged on the front lines.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin escalated tensions by announcing a revised nuclear doctrine, allowing nuclear responses even to conventional attacks supported by nuclear-armed allies, such as the U.S.-backed strikes from Ukraine.
Ukraine has ramped up its offensive, reportedly targeting drone factories and ammunition arsenals deep within Russia. The Institute for the Study of War noted that long-range strikes are critical for degrading Russian capabilities, though they are unlikely to be war-changing.
Winter Looms Over Battlefield
Amid fears of another Russian effort to cripple Ukraine’s power grid, Western analysts believe the new U.S. policy aims to bolster Ukraine’s resilience as the harsh winter approaches. Military experts predict this support, while not decisive, could weaken Russia’s war effort and sustain Ukraine’s counteroffensive.
As tensions mount, the Biden administration’s move signals a firm commitment to supporting Ukraine while navigating the growing complexities of an increasingly global conflict.
