Russian troops have withdrawn from Snake Island in the Black Sea following repeated attacks by Ukrainian forces, a move that baffles Moscow’s forces and could undermine their control over the sea lanes. important transportation.
The retreat came after repeated Ukrainian attacks – including powerful, newly arrived Western weapons – left Russian forces unable to hold onto the island, a small enclave 20 miles off the coast of Odesa. miles played an overwhelming role during the war.
Just a week after the Kremlin boasted of repelling Ukraine’s attempt to retake the island, Russia’s withdrawal appears to be yet another example of Moscow downsizing its military ambitions in the face of resistance. Ukraine.
Both Russia and Ukraine confirmed the withdrawal on Thursday, with Ukraine saying it followed a military operation that began more than a week ago that repeatedly targeted the island and Russian efforts to resupply. to the garrison there with rocket fire and artillery.
The last Russian soldiers on the island, known as Zmiinyi in Ukrainian, are believed to have fled overnight on two speedboats, according to the Ukrainian army’s Southern Command.
Better understanding of the Russo-Ukrainian War
Andrii Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, said: “There are no more Russians on Zmiinyi. “The Armed Forces conducted an outstanding operation.”
The Russian Defense Ministry, in a statement, sought to treat the withdrawal as “a gesture of goodwill” that would “not allow Kyiv to speculate on an impending food crisis”, given its control of the island. is very important to secure shipping routes in the northwest corner of the Black Sea. Russia’s de facto naval blockade prevented Ukraine from exporting much of its average monthly supply of 5 million tons of pre-war grain.
And despite the Russian statement, there is no indication that the Kremlin is prepared to allow the safe passage of Ukrainian ships leaving the port of Odesa.
Natalia Humeniuk, a spokeswoman for the Ukrainian military’s Southern Command, said on Tuesday that Ukraine had destroyed three air defense missile systems recently installed on the island. She said the most recent attack had rendered the radar station inoperable, leaving Russian troops on the island unable to assist.
The fortress island has been the target of Russian troops since the first day of the invasion, when Russia’s flagship in the Black Sea, Moscow, arrived to order the surrender of the soldiers guarding the tiny Ukrainian outpost. The salty refusal of the soldiers became the cheers of the nation.
The sinking of the Moscow ship in April, one of Ukraine’s most widely celebrated victories in the war, has heightened the island’s importance to both Ukraine and Russia.
Russia has deployed powerful surface-to-air missile systems to the island to support ground forces. The Russian Navy also began operating further from the coast of Ukraine, beyond the range of anti-ship missiles.
However, the danger to Russian ships increased as more powerful Western anti-ship systems began to dock at the end of May. Around June 20, Ukrainian forces launched a new assault on the island, striking a Russian tugboat while it was on a mission to deliver weapons and personnel to the island.
According to the British military, the Ukrainian military “almost certainly” used the newly delivered Harpoon missile in the attack.
But the fight for the island continues. Satellite images released over the past week show the results as seen from space – large new scars dotted over 46 acres of rock and grass sprouting from the sea.
On Thursday morning, in the last reported attack by the Ukrainian military, it said it used missiles and artillery to bring down another Russian anti-missile system. “Snake Island was covered with fire, explosions were heard,” the Ukrainian commander said.
The last Russians there were seen boarding two boats and speeding away. But given its vulnerability, it is unclear whether the Ukrainians will attempt to restore their garrison on Snake Island.
