World
November 20, 2024 17:20
washington, dc - President Biden has made the decision to supply Ukraine with a large quantity of antipersonnel mines in an effort to bolster the country's defenses against Russian aggression. This move comes as tensions continue to rise in the region.
In the final weeks of his term, President Biden has made the decision to supply Ukraine with a substantial quantity of antipersonnel mines. These mines have the capability to render large areas virtually impassable to an enemy. Ukraine has pledged not to deploy the weapons in densely populated areas.
The Ukrainian military is under significant pressure in the Russian province of Kursk. Vladimir Putin is intent on driving out the Ukrainians at all costs and has amassed a military force of 50,000 troops, including at least 10,000 North Korean soldiers, for a major offensive. Biden hopes to strengthen Ukraine's position with the mines before Donald Trump takes over the reins in the US in two months. Trump has previously hinted at reducing support for Ukraine. Earlier this week, Biden also authorized Ukraine to deploy American long-range missiles ATACMS on Russian territory.
Yes, in most countries. In 1997, 121 countries, including the Netherlands, signed the Ottawa Treaty, which prohibited the use, storage, trade, and production of antipersonnel mines. By 2022, the number of countries party to the treaty had risen to 164.
However, several major powers have not joined the treaty. Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and the United States reserve the right to continue producing and using antipersonnel mines. The US aimed to retain the mines primarily for deployment at the South Korean border with North Korea, where tens of thousands of American troops are stationed.
A total of 32 countries have not signed the treaty, including Israel, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and both Koreas. Ukraine has signed the treaty but is considering withdrawing from it due to the ongoing conflict. In light of the increasing Russian threat at its borders, Finland is also considering withdrawing from the treaty.
Yes, Russia has extensively used antipersonnel mines. According to the research organization Mine Action Review, Russia employed thirteen types of antipersonnel mines in Ukraine. Russia also used the weapons against civilians in densely populated urban areas to terrorize the Ukrainian population there. The antipersonnel mines they used were often butterfly mines, small mines camouflaged as (autumn) leaves that are very difficult to render safe. The Russians also deployed the mines in areas from which they had to retreat. In turn, Ukraine used the mines in the reconquest of Izyum.
The antipersonnel mines that the US will supply to Ukraine will differ significantly from those used by Russia. The American mines will only remain active for a limited period set by the US; afterward, they will no longer detonate. These mines were developed by the US to spare the civilian population in conflict areas. In many of those areas, the population is later still affected by antipersonnel mines laid years earlier by warring factions.