Biden is in a hurry: the United States is accelerating the provision of military assistance to Ukraine

The Russian-Ukrainian war is entering a new phase marked by increased tensions. Permissions for the use of new weapons, warnings of combined airstrikes, the closing of embassies and recommendations for citizens of foreign countries to seek shelter testify to the complexity of the situation. The threat of conflict escalation is becoming more and more tangible.

After receiving a warning about a “significant airstrike”, the US temporarily closes its embassy in Kyiv. American citizens are advised to be prepared to take shelter immediately in the event of an air alert.

As a rule, such warnings are rare and not unreasonable: they are usually based on reliable intelligence. The warnings come amid reports that the US has approved the transfer of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine. Biden makes this decision after allowing Kyiv to use long-range missiles on the territory of Russia.

Moscow reacts to Ukraine’s first use of ATACMS missiles on Russian territory

According to the statement of the Ministry of Defense of Russia, on Tuesday night, the Ukrainian army struck a military facility in the Bryansk region bordering Russia, using six ballistic missiles, among which were long-range ATACMS missiles. Russian air defenses shot down five of them, while debris from a sixth missile fell on a military facility, causing a small fire. There were no casualties or significant damage.

After Ukraine’s first attack on Russian territory using US-supplied ATACMS missiles, Russia threatened an “appropriate” response. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, stated that Moscow is considering various options for response, including the possible use of nuclear weapons. “We perceive this as a new phase of the West’s war against Russia and will respond accordingly“, — stated Minister of Foreign Affairs Serhii Lavrov.

The Kremlin also reacts to anti-personnel mines for the Armed Forces

It was also sharp reaction Russia on the decision of the Biden administration to approve the supply of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine. The Kremlin accused the US of “inciting the conflict” and demonstrating “full commitment to the continuation of the war.”

During a press briefing in Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmytro Peskov said that such actions by Washington correspond to the general policy of the Joe Biden administration towards Ukraine, aimed at escalating tensions.

As are reported high-quality American and European media, US President Joe Biden approved the provision of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, which, according to one American official, is intended to help deter the advance of Russian troops in eastern Ukraine. The use of these mines together with other American munitions can become an important element in the defense of the country, especially in conditions when Russia continues its offensive activities.

At the same time, the official specified that the US expects that these mines will be used only on the territory of Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces are actively fighting aggression. At the same time, Ukraine undertook not to use anti-personnel mines in areas where there is a civilian population, which is an important obligation within the framework of international norms and humanitarian standards. This approach reflects the desire to minimize the risks to civilians, even when using such dangerous ammunition.

Anti-personnel mines as a sensitive issue for the “Red Cross”

The use of anti-personnel mines is a sensitive issue in the context of international humanitarian law, and the Red Cross has traditionally advocated the minimization of risks to civilians and compliance with relevant conventions. As of November 20, 2024, the Red Cross Society of Ukraine has not released an official statement regarding US President Joe Biden’s decision to provide Ukraine with anti-personnel mines. However, the organization constantly emphasized the importance of informing the population about mine danger and compliance with international humanitarian norms.

In particular, the Red Cross of Ukraine actively conducts information campaigns aimed at increasing citizens’ awareness of the risks associated with explosive objects and familiarizing them with the rules of safe behavior when they are detected. The organization also cooperates with state bodies and international partners to ensure the safety of the population in the conditions of armed conflict

At the same time, the “Red Cross” reminds that anti-personnel mines are capable of exerting their destructive influence even after the end of the conflict. They cause death, maiming and suffering, leaving a dangerous mark for years to come. Most often, victims are children who, due to their curiosity, may accidentally come across explosive devices. Mine-contaminated areas become unusable, which negatively affects food security and agriculture.

In 1997, the world community adopted the Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines, which prohibits their use, production, stockpiling and transfer. It also obliges states to eliminate the long-term consequences of their application. In more than 20 years, three-quarters of the world’s countries have joined the Convention, which has become an important step in the fight against this threat. A decrease in the number of victims of landmines has been observed over the years, but due to new conflicts and the use of improvised mines, the number of victims is increasing again. Today, mines and explosive remnants of war are responsible for thousands of casualties in 56 countries.

The Pentagon explained why Ukraine has anti-personnel mines

The decision of the Biden administration to send anti-personnel mines to Ukraine was a response to the change in Russian tactics on the front, as stated by the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in an interview for CNN.

According to Austin, Russia, due to military failures, changed its strategy. Instead of using mechanized units, it increasingly relies on infantry, which is tasked with clearing the way for the movement of mechanized troops. In this regard, the minister noted, Ukraine needs additional means that will help slow down these actions.

In the past, the US provided Ukraine with anti-tank mines, but now the decision to supply anti-personnel mines is an important step in the policy change of the Biden administration. Austin clarified that these mines are not permanent and the US will be able to control when they are activated or detonated, making them safer than improvised mines. However, he emphasized the importance of Ukraine being responsible for the placement of these mines, fixing their locations.

This decision, according to officials, should help strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities in the face of Russian attacks. In particular, the US also plans to send missiles for the Patriot and NASAMS air defense systems to Ukraine, which should be sufficient to cover the needs until the end of the year.

Defense Express named the type and function of the mines from Biden

Ukrainian edition Defense Express, which specializes in coverage of defense and military issues, makes its assumption about the type of anti-personnel mines that will be provided to Ukraine. The point is that in the material Washington Post, which refers to its own sources, does not specify the specific type of mines, but states that they have a self-destruction or self-deactivation mechanism. Defense Express suggests that it is the ADAM remote demining system.

The US has previously supplied Ukraine with anti-personnel mines, including the M18A1 Claymore guided-missile mine, and these were part of the aid provided from 2022. However, now it is not about them, but probably about ADAM.

These new mines, which will be transferred to Ukraine, will allow the Armed Forces to strengthen their defense, in particular in the fight against Russian “meat” assaults. It said the White House had to abandon the position of arms control groups to allow such a transfer. At the same time, it is important to take into account that Russia already actively uses anti-personnel mines of various types, including for remote mining. Therefore, this decision, in the context of the war, can be considered as the lifting of another ban for Ukraine, in particular, regarding the use of such mines.

The ADAM projectile, like the RAAM, has a range of up to 17.6 km when fired from M109-type artillery systems, and can scatter mines up to 600 meters from the point of aim. In order to effectively mine a large area, you need to fire several shots. The ADAM system is part of the FASCAM family and was put into service by the US back in 1975, it was developed mainly to fight the USSR in the event of a full-scale war. If the assumption made by Defense Express is correct and Ukraine has received this particular system, it will be an important step in strengthening the country’s defenses, providing an effective means of combating Russian infantry assaults. It is also worth emphasizing that Russia actively uses anti-personnel mines of all types, while Ukraine was limited in their use.

The provision of modern anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, despite the controversy of such a decision, reflects a new phase of support in the conditions of growing tensions. This decision demonstrates strategic adaptation to changes on the frontline, while posing new challenges for international humanitarian law and long-term security in the region.