Poland is set to deploy land mines along its eastern borders with Russia, following its official exit from the Ottawa Convention banning their use. Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the country will soon achieve the capability to mine its border within 48 hours in response to potential threats.
Warsaw, alongside Finland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states, withdrew from the international treaty citing the necessity to bolster defenses against potential Russian aggression. These nations fear they could be targeted by Russia, which never signed the convention, as the conflict in Ukraine continues. The move has drawn criticism due to the historical civilian harm caused by land mines.
The Ottawa Convention, established in 1997, specifically targets anti-personnel mines, leaving other types, such as anti-tank mines, permissible. Notably, major global powers including the U.S., China, India, and Russia have not acceded to the treaty. Poland had previously ratified the convention in 2012 and destroyed its anti-personnel mine stockpile by 2016. The country has been developing the 'Eastern Shield' fortification system along its borders with Belarus and Russia since 2024, which may now incorporate minefields.