Biden has approved the transfer of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine to halt the Russian advance, according to the Washington Post.

US President Joe Biden has approved the supply of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, which could strengthen the defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donetsk, reported sources among American officials to The Washington Post.

“Russia is attacking Ukrainian positions in the east, despite its losses. <…> More settlements may fall. These mines were specifically designed to combat this,” said one of the publication's sources.

He also added that the mines, in combination with other weapons provided by the US to Ukraine, will contribute to a “more effective defense.”

Another source from WP noted that Kyiv will receive “non-persistent” mines – those that will self-destruct over time or lose battery charge, making them inactive and safe for civilians in the long term.

The source also emphasized that the Ukrainian military has committed to not deploying mines in densely populated areas. Meanwhile, the US has allowed their use only within the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine.

As WP sources indicate, Biden had long resisted supplying anti-personnel mines to Kyiv, but in recent weeks, the White House has been “deeply concerned” about the advance of Russian troops in Donbas and sees an “urgent need” to halt this offensive.

The Pentagon stated that providing the mines is “one of the most useful steps the Joe Biden administration can take to slow down Russia's advance.”

According to the Ottawa Convention, anti-personnel mines are prohibited from being used and stockpiled. The US, like Russia, is not among the 164 countries that have signed this agreement; however, Ukraine ratified it in 2005. Under the terms of the convention, a country that has ratified it cannot withdraw from the treaty until the end of the armed conflict it is involved in.