US allows Ukraine to use antipersonnel land mines against Russian forces

The Biden administration will now allow Ukraine to use American-supplied antipersonnel land mines against Russian forces. This policy change aims to help Ukraine slow Russia's advances on the battlefield, particularly in the eastern Donetsk region. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that the new land mines are designed to be nonpersistent, meaning they will not pose a long-term threat to civilians. Ukraine is currently making its own land mines, while the U.S. has already provided antitank mines. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions, with warnings of a potential Russian air attack on Kyiv. Some Western embassies in Ukraine temporarily closed as a precaution. The conflict has escalated with North Korean troops reportedly assisting Russia, prompting concerns over military capabilities on both sides.