Biden Allows Anti-Personnel Mines in Ukraine... Reversing Policy Before Leaving Office

A-Tacums Followed by Landmines... Emergency Support Before Trump's Inauguration

U.S. President Joe Biden, who is nearing the end of his term, has not only lifted restrictions on the use of ATACMS missiles for attacks on Russian mainland targets in Ukraine but has also authorized the use of anti-personnel mines.

On the 19th (local time), The Washington Post (WP), citing two U.S. officials, reported that President Biden has approved the supply of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine.

This is a sudden reversal of existing policy near the end of his term. In June 2022, President Biden imposed a complete ban on the use of anti-personnel mines outside the Korean Peninsula. The policy banning the use of anti-personnel mines outside the Korean Peninsula, which was implemented during former President Barack Obama's administration in 2014, was repealed in January 2020 during the first term of then-President Donald Trump. It has now been reinstated. WP noted that Biden had previously been reluctant to supply mines to Ukraine due to widespread concerns about landmines.

The reason President Biden made this decision is to support Ukraine, which is under pressure. The U.S. recently reversed its previous stance and provided long-range ATACMS missiles, enabling Ukraine to strike Russian mainland targets. The Associated Press reported that the U.S. Department of Defense plans to supply Ukraine with new weapons worth at least $275 million (approximately 382.2 billion KRW).

Since then-President Trump declared his intention to quickly negotiate a ceasefire upon taking office, Ukraine and Russia have sought to gain advantageous positions in preparation for negotiations. Russia has indiscriminately laid anti-personnel mines along the front lines to slow Ukraine’s advance to reclaim territory. Furthermore, the recent deployment of North Korean troops in the conflict has made the situation even more unfavorable for Ukraine.

U.S. Department of Defense officials said that providing mines is considered one of the useful measures the Biden administration can take to slow Russian attacks.

U.S. President Joe Biden. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

One official said, "Russia is mobilizing troops to attack the eastern Ukraine front regardless of casualties," adding, "When used alongside other weapons already supplied to Ukraine, (the mines) will contribute to more effective defense." WP explained that mines can help slow enemy advances and channel them into areas vulnerable to rocket attacks, thereby strengthening defense.

The official explained to WP that the anti-personnel mines supplied by the U.S. government are "non-persistent." This means that the mines become inactive within days to weeks as they are destroyed or their batteries run out, reducing the risk to civilians. Additionally, Ukrainian officials have pledged not to deploy mines in densely populated areas, and the Biden administration has committed to supporting Ukraine’s mine clearance efforts after a ceasefire.

WP reported that the mines supplied to Ukraine by the U.S. are Claymore mines. Their use will be restricted to Ukrainian territory and is expected to be concentrated in eastern Ukraine.

However, experts argue that even non-persistent mines are not safe. Some also point out that since Ukraine is a signatory to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, the U.S. decision to supply mines marks a blemish. Mary Wareham, deputy director of the Conflict and Weapons division at the human rights organization Human Rights Watch, called it a "shocking and destructive development," stating that even non-persistent mines pose risks to civilians, require complex clearance operations, and are not always reliably deactivated.

Despite the potential risks, Ukraine appears to welcome this policy shift by the U.S. A Ukrainian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "Russia uses them anyway."