Russian troops leave Ukraine’s Snake Island

Russian forces have left Ukraine’s Snake Island (or Zmiinyi Island), both Ukrainian and Russian conflict sides confirmed.

The Russian Defence Ministry stated that the Russian military had completed their objectives on Snake Island and withdrawn their garrison there “as a gesture of goodwill.”

“Thus, we have shown the international community that the Russian Federation does not hinder the UN efforts to organise a humanitarian corridor to export agricultural produce from Ukrainian territory,” the Russian ministry claims.

This decision “will prevent Kyiv from exploiting the issue of the looming food crisis, stating that it is impossible to export grain due to Russia’s total control over the north-western part of the Black Sea.” “Now the ball is in Ukraine’s court. Ukraine still refuses to demine the Black Sea coast on their territory, including the water area near their ports,” the ministry stated.

Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, as well as Operational Command South of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, confirmed that the Russian forces had withdrawn from the island. The Ukrainian command stated that after the overnight attack on Russian positions on the island, the Russian forces quickly evacuated what remained of their garrison and left the island.

In May, the Russian Defence Ministry reported that Ukraine had suffered “major losses” during an attempt to seize Snake Island. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian troops stated that it was Russia that suffered losses.