Snake Island, located in the Black Sea, was lost to Russia at the beginning of the invasion. However, Ukraine has now successfully driven Putin’s troops out from the island and reclaimed it for Kyiv. A Ukrainian flag now flies above the territory.
Nataliya Humenyuk, spokesperson for the Southern Ukraine Defence Forces, made the announcement today.
She said: “The flag of Ukraine has been installed on Snake Island.
“The military operation has been completed, and the territory has been returned to the jurisdiction of Ukraine.”
Ms Humenyuk added that Ukrainian troops are advancing “slowly but surely” in the rest of southern Ukraine.
She said: “First we vacate the territory, entrench ourselves there, and only then announce it.
She noted that Russian ships have 28 Kalibr missiles at the ready in the Black Sea.
Ukrainian news outlet The New Voice of Ukraine also celebrated the victory on Twitter, saying: “The Ukrainian flag is flying over Zmiiny Island again!”
This comes after it was reported the Ukrainian military had completely forced the invaders out on June 30.
When they were driven off, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak tweeted: “KABOOM! No Russian troops on the Snake Island anymore. Our Armed Forces did a great job.
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Occupying the island enables control of waters approaching Ukraine’s last three remaining commercial ports.
This includes the Black Sea port of Odesa, where a Russian blockade has been preventing the exportation of wheat from Ukraine.
Ukraine is one of the world’s main wheat suppliers, and the blockade is still in place as Russia maintains dominance over the Black Sea.
Losing the island therefore represents a huge blow to Putin, as it weakens his grip on the area and removes some control over Ukraine’s skies as well.
