Anti-tank mines, which are designed not to be triggered by a person's weight, are not forbidden by the Ottawa Convention. The U.S., late in Joe Biden's presidential term, announced it would give Ukraine anti-personnel mines to help slow Russian battlefield advances. Given the length of the country's eastern borders, Zalewski said, "a lot" of landmines will be needed. But he said that Poland would only deploy the mines along its borders "when there is a realistic threat of Russian aggression." Human rights groups have condemned moves to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, arguing that anti-personnel mines are too dangerous to civilians.

Source: CBC News February 20, 2026 14:45 UTC