“According to unnamed officials quoted by the publication, the Biden administration is deeply concerned about the offensive actions of Russia on the front line in Ukraine in recent weeks”, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
This, as well as the alleged recent U.S. authorization for Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike Russia, are reportedly part of a move by the Biden administration to help Kiev counter Russian forces.
The Biden administration is deeply concerned about Russia’s offensive actions on the front lines in Ukraine in recent weeks and sees an urgent need to stop them, officials said. The Pentagon believes providing the mines is one of the most helpful steps the Biden administration can take to slow Russia’s attack, officials said.
The use of mines will be limited to the territory of Ukraine, with an expected emphasis on its eastern part, one of the officials said.
According to officials, the type of anti-personnel mines is “non-sustainable,” meaning the mines self-destruct or lose their battery, rendering them inactive, reducing the danger to civilians. According to the official, Ukrainian representatives undertook not to install mines in densely populated areas. At the same time, arms control experts said that even unstable mines pose a security threat.
The Washington Post points out that Biden did not want to supply mines to Ukraine because of concerns within his administration and from a wide range of anti-mine supporters who say the risk to civilians is unacceptably high, but the progress of Russian troops on the battlefield in recent months has forced White home to find new ways to help Kyiv.
The Biden administration was not officially notified of such a move, and the Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on it either.
After the start of the full-scale invasion of Russia in February 2022, Ukraine became one of the most mined countries in the world.