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States — The US decision to send anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine — a major policy shift slammed by rights groups — was triggered by a change in Russian battlefield tactics favoring infantry over mechanized units, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday.
“They don’t lead with their mechanized forces anymore,” Austin told reporters while on a visit to Laos. “They lead with dismounted forces who are able to close and do things to kind of pave the way for mechanized forces.”
The Ukrainians “have a need for things that can help slow down that effort on the part of the Russians.”
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President Joe Biden’s reversal of his previous curbs on US landmines comes just days after Washington gave Ukraine the green light to use US-made long-range missiles on targets within Russia, a longstanding ask from Kyiv.
The outgoing US administration is aiming to give Ukraine an upper hand before President-elect Donald Trump enters office.
Trump has repeatedly criticized US assistance for Ukraine, claiming he could secure a ceasefire within hours, without explaining details.
His comments have triggered fears in Kyiv and Europe about Ukraine’s ability to withstand Russian attacks without US support.
