The Biden administration has approved sending American-made anti-personnel mines to Ukraine to help slow Russian advances on the battlefield. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the decision on Wednesday, citing the urgent need to bolster Ukraine’s defenses as Russian forces intensify ground assaults in the eastern Donetsk region.

This decision follows recent approvals for Ukraine to use American-made long-range missiles against targets in Russia. 

The U.S. mines are designed to deactivate after a set period, reducing the long-term risks to civilians. Austin explained that Russia’s increasing reliance on foot soldiers instead of armored vehicles led to the decision. “Ukraine has a need for things that can help slow down that effort on the part of the Russians,” Austin said.

Ukraine has pledged to deploy the mines only on its own territory and away from civilian areas, addressing international concerns over the dangers of landmines. Despite these assurances, Ukraine remains the most heavily mined country in the world, with over 400 civilian deaths from mines and unexploded ordnance since the war began, according to the United Nations.

In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced updates to nuclear weapons policies, lowering the threshold for their use in conventional attacks supported by NATO allies.

Rights groups have criticized the use of anti-personnel mines, citing their long-term dangers even with safety features. Most countries, including Ukraine, are signatories to the Ottawa Treaty banning these weapons, though the U.S. and Russia are not. The Biden administration has defended the move as necessary under the current circumstances, emphasizing that these mines are nonpersistent and safer than older designs.