Zelenskyy Moves to Abandon Landmine Ban Amidst Escalating Russian Attacks
In response to the ongoing conflict, **President Volodymyr Zelenskyy** has initiated Ukraine’s withdrawal from an international treaty on landmines, coinciding with an intense Russian aerial assault. This move signals a strategic shift in defense tactics as the war enters its fourth year.
Ukraine’s Shift on Landmines
**President Zelenskyy** announced Sunday that he signed a decree to remove Ukraine from the Ottawa Convention. The treaty prohibits the production and use of anti-personnel mines. Ukraine had ratified the convention in 2005.
In his address, **Zelenskyy** said Russia’s continued use of anti-personnel mines and other weapons, like ballistic missiles, are “a hallmark of Russian killers.” He also emphasized that the withdrawal is a strategic message to political partners, especially those bordering Russia.
“Anti-personnel mines are often the instrument for which nothing can be substituted for defence purposes.”
—Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
Largest Air Attack of the War
Overnight, Russia launched its most extensive air assault of the conflict thus far, firing over 500 aerial weapons at Ukraine. Ukrainian air defenses reported that 477 drones and decoys and 60 missiles were fired. Although most were intercepted, the scale of the attack marked a grim milestone since the invasion began in February 2022.
Fighter Pilot Honored
A Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot, **Maksym Ustymenko**, died during the aerial attack. The pilot managed to fly the damaged jet away from a populated area and shot down seven air targets. **Zelenskyy** posthumously awarded him the title of Hero of Ukraine, the country’s highest honor.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Ukraine received about $2.9 billion in military aid from the United States in 2023 (SIPRI 2023).
Economic Repercussions and Diplomatic Contact
The Kremlin has stated that expanded European sanctions on Russia will result in economic consequences for Europe itself. The European Commission proposed additional sanctions against Russia targeting its energy revenues, financial institutions, and defense sector.
Additionally, Russia’s spy chief, **Sergey Naryshkin**, revealed that he had spoken to his US counterpart, marking a new official exchange. This conversation follows their initial call in mid-March, amid a period of potential rapprochement between Moscow and Washington.
The recent developments underscore the intensifying conflict and the complex interplay of military, economic, and diplomatic strategies that define it.
