US to Supply Controversial Anti-Personnel Mines to Ukraine Amid Rising Russian Threat
U.S. Decision to Provide Anti-Personnel Mines to Ukraine
The White House announced it will supply Ukraine with anti-personnel mines to counter Russia’s advances. This move has faced criticism from international rights groups, especially given Russia’s extensive use of similar weapons. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin highlighted a shift in Russian tactics, noting that Russia now deploys dismounted forces first.
Austin stated that Ukraine needs “tools” to slow down the Russian efforts. Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that Russia has used at least 13 types of anti-personnel mines in Ukraine since February 2022. They emphasized that these mines have caused numerous civilian casualties and contaminated agricultural land.
Despite widespread condemnation, over 160 countries have banned these mines. The U.S. and Russia have not signed the ban, but Ukraine ratified it in December 2005. Ukraine has refrained from discussing specific weapons used in the conflict until sovereignty is restored.
Anti-personnel mines detonate when individuals walk near them. Some reports indicate that the U.S. mines are non-persistent and become harmless after a set period.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed the decision, calling the mines essential for strengthening frontline troops.
Security Alerts and Military Actions
On November 20, the U.S. embassy in Kyiv temporarily closed due to a potential air strike threat but resumed normal operations the following day. U.S. officials urged caution and advised citizens in Kyiv to seek shelter during alerts.
The Ukrainian military dismissed the threat as a “fake” message potentially linked to Russian misinformation. They encouraged residents to heed air-raid alarms without succumbing to fear.
Earlier reports indicated that Ukraine had launched U.S.-made long-range missiles against Russian targets. President Zelenskiy acknowledged Ukraine’s long-range capabilities but did not confirm specific missile usage.
On November 20, Ukrainian military intelligence reported a successful strike on a Russian command post in Belgorod, close to the border. Additionally, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles for strikes inside Russia for the first time.
In the same period, Russia launched a significant drone attack on Ukraine. Out of 122 drones, Ukrainian defenses shot down 56 across various regions. The mayor of Odesa reported that the death toll from a recent Russian strike had risen to 11.