Ukraine has moved to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, an international agreement that bans the use of anti-personnel landmines, following a major Russian aerial attack against multiple regions. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree initiating the withdrawal process on Monday, though parliamentary approval is still required. Zelenskyy criticized Moscow for its use of these weapons, calling it a cynical tactic to endanger civilian lives. The decision is part of Ukraine’s response to the extensive damage and casualties caused by Russian anti-personnel mines in areas recaptured by Ukrainian forces.
The Ottawa Convention, adopted in 1997, prohibits the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines due to their indiscriminate harm to civilians. Ukraine was one of 160 signatory countries, but Russia never joined the pact. Zelenskyy highlighted Russia’s use of these weapons in the war, stating, ‘This is the signature style of Russian killers — to destroy life by all methods at their disposal.’ The withdrawal is not yet final and requires approval from Ukraine’s parliament.
Ukraine has suffered greatly from Russia’s use of anti-personnel landmines in recent years. Areas liberated from Russian forces have been left with these devices, leading to injuries among both civilians and Ukrainian soldiers. The recent aerial attack, which involved over 500 air weapons, is described as the most massive airstrike against Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022. The attack targeted multiple regions, including western Ukraine, far from the front lines. Poland and allied countries scrambled aircraft to protect Polish airspace, according to the Polish air force.
The attack resulted in casualties, including one death in the Kherson region from a drone strike, and another in the Kharkiv region when a drone hit a car. Six people, including a child, were wounded in Cherkasy. Ukraine’s air force also reported that one of its F-16 warplanes, supplied by the West, crashed after sustaining damage while shooting down air targets, killing the pilot. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges and risks Ukraine faces in defending its territory against Russian aggression.