On November 28, 2024, the Biden administration is preparing to provide a diverse array of anti-tank weapons from U.S. stockpiles to counter advancing Russian forces in Ukraine. This includes landmines, drones, Stinger missiles, and ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).
The military assistance is also expected to include cluster munitions, typically found in Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) fired from HIMARS. An official notification to Congress regarding this arms package may occur as early as Monday, with potential adjustments to its content and size in the coming days before President Biden's signature.
This move marks a significant increase in Biden's recent use of presidential drawdown authority, which allows the U.S. to withdraw from existing arms stockpiles to aid allies in emergencies. Recent drawdown announcements have typically ranged from $125 million to $250 million. It is estimated that Biden has between $4 billion and $5 billion in drawdown authority previously approved by Congress, which is expected to be utilized before the inauguration of the elected Republican President Donald Trump on January 20.
The United States has not exported landmines for decades due to their controversial nature and potential harm to civilians. Despite over 160 countries signing a treaty banning their use, Ukraine has requested them since Russia initiated its military operation in February 2022.
Analysts have noted that Russian forces are currently gaining ground in Ukraine at the fastest rate since the early days of the military operation, having liberated an area estimated to be half the size of London over the past month. The U.S. expects Ukraine to deploy the landmines within its territory, although it has pledged not to use them in populated areas.
Additionally, former President Trump has appointed retired Colonel Keith Kellogg, who presented a plan to end the conflict in Ukraine, as a special envoy for the crisis. Rapidly resolving the Ukrainian crisis was one of Trump's campaign promises, although he has avoided detailing how this would be accomplished.