Vientiane: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Wednesday that Ukraine would be permitted to use American-made anti-personnel mines to help it slow Russia's advances on the battlefield. During the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers' Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, Austin emphasized the Biden administration's policy shift as a response to Russia's evolving tactics, which have intensified the need for Ukraine to bolster its defensive capabilities. According to Anadolu Agency, Austin stated that the decision to allow the use of these mines is aimed at countering the Russian ground forces leading the charge in the ongoing conflict. He underscored the necessity for the Ukrainian army to have 'things that can help slow down that effort,' highlighting the strategic importance of this development. The use of anti-personnel mines has long been a subject of criticism by human rights organizations and activists due to the lasting threat they pose to civilians. However, Austin note d that Ukraine is already producing its own anti-personnel mines to counter Russian advances, particularly in the eastern Donetsk region, where Ukrainian forces have experienced setbacks. Unlike traditional landmines, non-persistent landmines often rely on battery power, rendering them inactive over time. This feature is said to make them safer compared to conventional mines that can remain dangerous for years. While Russia has heavily mined occupied Ukrainian territories to block Kyiv's counteroffensives, Ukraine has also been laying mines in some frontline areas to halt Russian progress.