Journalist: Ukraine should stop destroying its defensive weapons
Ukraine should withdraw from the Ottawa Convention and cease the destruction of defensive weapons during hostilities, Yuri Butusov wrote on his Facebook page. Butusov is a well-known Ukrainian journalist and the Editor-in-Chief of censor.net.ua.
Ukraine nevertheless continues to fulfill its international obligations on disarmament. The representatives of Ukraine and NATO reported that as of October 12, 2016, Ukraine has destroyed 1 million PFM-1 Green parrot anti-infantry high-explosive mines with NATO funding at the chemical plant in Pavlohrad.
“Yes, Ukraine has signed the Ottawa Convention. It is not the first time that anti-infantry mines are being destroyed. It was done according to the Law of Ukraine ‘On demilitarization of small arms, light weapons, ammunition and anti-infantry mines’ that was adopted in January 2012.The disposal was funded by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency. I understand NATO’s logic: they do not want the proliferation of dangerous weapons and do not care about Ukraine’s interests. They pay money to prevent leakage so that Ukrainian weapons aren’t used somewhere else,” Butusov wrote.
However, Butusov believes it is clear that this issue should be reviewed in the context of warfare in eastern Ukraine because munitions are needed at the front today.
“Mines are effective weapons, especially useful for defense. The PFM-1 anti-infantry high-explosive mine is of paramount importance, designed for mass planting of mines during offensive maneuvers. This mine can be dropped from planes, helicopters, combat engineer vehicles and multiple launch rockets systems. In the event of invasion, the mass planting of such mines is guaranteed to constrain an enemy’s maneuvers,” Butusov explained. “These mines are needed at the front now, under the condition that maps of minefields will be drawn of course. For example, the Russian Army uses PFM-1 mines in the Donbas.”
Butusov emphasized that NATO countries do not supply lethal weapons to Ukraine and yet they fund the destruction of lethal weapons in Ukraine.
“We need to somehow explain to the West that the situation has changed. Ukraine is no longer a neutral state. If you will not supply lethal weapons to our country, then at least stop demanding the destruction of what we have in stock. It is absurd. We need mines at the front. Our mines should protect our positions and kill Russian mercenaries. I think that Ukraine should temporarily withdraw from the Ottawa Convention and abandon its obligations. I hope that Parliament will pay attention to this issue,” Butusov summarized.