Biden approves transfer of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine

President Joe Biden has approved the transfer of anti-personnel land mines to Ukraine. This decision aims to help Ukraine slow Russian advances, particularly in eastern regions. The U.S. expects these mines to be used only within Ukrainian territory. Unlike Russian mines, the U.S. anti-personnel mines are "non-persistent" and become inactive after a set time. They require a battery to detonate, ensuring they do not pose a long-term threat to civilians. This development follows Ukraine's recent use of U.S. ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory. In response, Russia's President Vladimir Putin has lowered the threshold for nuclear strikes amid escalating tensions.