Poland withdraws from antipersonnel mine ban to defend against Russia

The move reflects a strategic shift as Poland responds to growing security concerns following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Zalewski said Poland would only deploy the mines “when there is a realistic threat of Russian aggression,” framing the stockpiling as a defensive measure tied to the Eastern Shield fortification system.

In February, Poland officially withdrew from the 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty and announced plans to manufacture antipersonnel mines to defend its eastern border against Russia. The decision reverses Poland’s full compliance with the international agreement since ratifying it in 2012 and represents a significant shift in security posture driven by Russian aggression in Ukraine.

“These mines are one of the most important elements of the defense structure we are constructing on the eastern flank of NATO, in Poland, on the border with Russia in the north and with Belarus in the east,” Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Zalewski said. He cited Russia as a country with “very aggressive intentions vis a vis its neighbors.”

A Reversal After a Decade of Destruction

Poland destroyed its existing antipersonnel mine stockpile in 2016 as part of its treaty obligations. The government now plans to renew domestic production of both antipersonnel and anti-tank mines through cooperation with Polish manufacturers. Zalewski said the goal was self-sufficiency in mine production.

Anti-tank mines, which are designed not to be triggered by a person’s weight, are permitted under the Ottawa Convention.

Rapid Deployment Timeline

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland would “soon” have the capability to mine its eastern borders within 48 hours if a threat emerges. Given the length of Poland’s eastern border, “a lot” of land mines will be needed, according to Zalewski.

Poland plans to position the mines as part of the Eastern Shield, a system of enhanced fortifications built on its borders with Belarus and Russia since 2024. However, Zalewski emphasized that deployment would only occur “when there is a realistic threat of Russian aggression.”

“We very much respect our territory and we don’t want to exclude it from day to day use for the Polish citizens,” Zalewski said.

Regional Security Reassessment

Poland’s decision reflects broader reassessment of security in Eastern Europe following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine have all announced their intention to leave the treaty.

Russia is one of nearly three dozen countries that have never acceded to the Ottawa Convention. The United States also has not ratified the agreement.

Humanitarian Pushback

The Ottawa Convention prohibits signatory nations from keeping or using antipersonnel mines, which humanitarian organizations say have caused large-scale civilian suffering in former conflict zones including Cambodia, Angola, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Human rights groups have condemned Poland’s withdrawal, arguing that antipersonnel mines are too dangerous to civilians.

Zalewski countered the humanitarian concerns, arguing that Poland is striking a balance by keeping the mines in reserve only for defensive purposes. “We are not an aggressive country,” he said, “but we have to use all means to deter Russia.”