President Biden late Tuesday authorized the deployment of anti-personnel landmines in Ukraine, a change in policy that further escalates the conflict with Russia ahead of President-elect Trump's inauguration.
Ukrainian authorities reportedly promised to deploy landmines only within Ukrainian territory and away from major population centers. The United States has so far refrained from using anti-personnel landmines, arguing that once they are deployed, they tend to prolong conflicts and harm innocent people.
However, the United States is reportedly taking precautions to prevent such injuries. The mines being delivered to Ukraine operate with electrical fuses that rely on batteries. According to CBS News, that battery typically dies within hours, or even weeks, and then stops working.
The Biden administration's approval came on the same day that Ukraine used U.S.-made ATACMs in attacks on Russian territory. Biden had banned such uses until last week.
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The Ukrainian military is currently being supplied with anti-personnel landmines made in the United States. (Oleg Petrasiuk/24th King of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Danilo Separate Mechanized Brigade Press Office/Data via Reuters)
President-elect Trump's allies have accused the Biden administration of authorizing Ukraine's escalation of hostilities with Russia in the final months of Trump's presidency.
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After Biden's approval of long-range missiles, Donald Trump Jr. posted on social media, “The military-industrial complex is certain to start World War III before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives.” Looks like I want to,” he posted. “We need to keep those trillions of dollars locked away. Life is ruined!!! You idiots!”
Biden's actions were prompted by Russia's decision to invite 10,000 North Korean soldiers to fight against Ukraine in Kursk, a senior U.S. official said. Another official told Fox News it was unclear whether Mr. Biden intended to authorize the use of missiles outside the Kursk region.
The Biden-Harris administration authorized Ukraine to escalate its confrontation with Russia ahead of President Trump's inauguration. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by updating Russia's principles for the use of nuclear weapons. The White House National Security Council downplayed the response.
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“As we said earlier this month, we were not surprised by Russia's announcement that it would update its nuclear doctrine. Russia has been signaling its intention to update its doctrine for several weeks. We have not seen any change in Russia's nuclear posture. “There is reason to adjust our own nuclear posture and doctrine in response to Russia's statement today,” an NSC spokesperson told FOX News Digital.
President Trump has said he can resolve the Ukraine conflict before taking office. (Alison Robert Poole/Getty Images)
“This is the same irresponsible rhetoric we have seen from Russia over the past two years. As we told Russia a few weeks ago, Russia will use North Korean soldiers in combat operations against Ukraine. “This represents a significant escalation of the war of choice against Ukraine, and we warned that the United States would respond,” the statement continued.
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The announcement came after Britain and France authorized SCALP/Storm Shadow missile attacks on Ukraine, according to French newspaper Le Figaro.
President Putin has previously said that giving Ukraine the green light to use missiles would effectively mean that the United States and NATO are “in a state of war.”
