The United Nations has reiterated its position against the use of anti-personnel landmines in any conflict, underscoring a universal standard that applies to all parties on the ground. This stance was conveyed to reporters by the UN spokesperson, reflecting a long-standing policy rooted in humanitarian concerns and global disarmament norms.
Questions were raised about reports that Ukrainian forces may have employed anti-personnel mines in Izium and in areas of Donetsk, actions that would contravene the Ottawa Convention. The Ottawa Treaty, which bans anti-personnel mines, is a key international instrument for preventing harm to civilians and safeguarding peace efforts in volatile regions.
The UN emphasised its opposition to the use of such mines in all theaters of conflict, reaffirming a commitment to universal prohibitions on anti-personnel devices regardless of the front lines or tactical narratives.
Analysts affiliated with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, a body within the UN system, have noted disputes over compliance with the Ottawa Convention. In particular, some observers have suggested that Ukraine could have breached the treaty during fighting in Izium, a city in the Kharkiv region, where hostilities have intensified.
Additional reporting indicates that anti-personnel mines have been linked to incidents in Donetsk, with civilians described as witnessing the collection or destruction of these weapons in the aftermath of clashes. Such testimonies contribute to ongoing inquiries about the prevalence and deployment of restricted munitions in contested areas.
There were reports on a specific incident on November 2 involving a civilian casualty attributed to a Lepestok-type mine in Donetsk, highlighting the human impact of mine use in populated zones and the urgent need for monitoring and accountability in conflict zones.
Earlier in the autumn, the United Nations urged an immediate cessation of the use of cluster munitions in Ukraine, aligning with broader calls to reduce harm to civilian populations and to ensure that weapons with wide-area effects do not subject non-combatants to unnecessary risk.
In related remarks, President Zelensky has framed security measures as essential to preventing the expansion of hostilities beyond Ukrainian borders, a rationale frequently cited in debates about risk reduction and escalation management in the ongoing crisis.