The transfer of anti-personnel land mines to Ukraine has been authorized by US President Joe Biden. A US official told Reuters on Wednesday (November 20) that the new US weapons could help impede Russia’s push in eastern Ukraine.

According to the person, the US anticipates Ukraine using the mines on its own soil. Even yet, the nation has pledged not to utilize them in densely populated regions. The Washington Post broke the story first.

Requests for comment from Reuters were not immediately answered by the Kremlin, the Russian Defense Ministry, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, or the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine has traditionally received anti-tank mines from the United States. However, this time, anti-personnel mines are being added in an effort to discourage Russian forces.

On the 1,000th day of the conflict, Ukraine launched its first long-range missile attack on Russian territory earlier Tuesday using US-supplied missiles. But if an attack is planned ahead of time, Moscow has threatened a nuclear retaliation. Thus, following yesterday’s strike, there is concern that the situation in Ukraine may escalate into a bloodier struggle.

In 2022, Russia began invading Ukraine. It is referred to as the largest European conflict since World War II. The United States provided Kiev with significant military support during this conflict. Among them were long-range missiles. Biden authorized the use of these missiles to strike Russian territory a few days ago. His choice has infuriated Russia as well as the camp of the Donald Trump, the recently elected US president.