U.S. allows Ukraine to use American antipersonnel mines to counter Russian advances
The U.S. will allow Ukraine to use American-supplied antipersonnel land mines to slow Russian advances, according to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. This marks a shift in U.S. policy amid changing Russian tactics on the battlefield. Austin stated that the new land mines are designed to be nonpersistent, reducing risks to civilians. Ukraine is currently producing its own mines, while the U.S. has already provided antitank mines. In Kyiv, U.S. and several Western embassies closed due to threats of a major Russian air attack. This follows heightened tensions after the U.S. allowed Ukraine to strike targets in Russia with American missiles.