This handout image from Ukrainian Armed Forces shows a flag being installed on Snake Island
(Picture: via REUTERS)Russia is claiming a warplane struck Snake Island shortly after Ukrainian troops raised a flag over the island in a symbolic move.
Russia’s defence ministry claimed that missiles were fired on the island in the Black Sea early on Thursday and an unspecified number of Ukrainian troops were killed - but Ukraine said there had been no injuries.
It happened just after images emerged of the Armed Forces of Ukraine flying a Ukraine flag on the island.
"At about 5 a.m.. several Ukrainian servicemen landed on the island from a motor boat and took pictures with the flag. An aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces immediately launched a strike with high-precision missiles on Snake Island, as a result of which part of the Ukrainian military personnel was destroyed," Russian defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.
Andriy Yermak, the Ukrainian President’s chief of staff, posted a video of three soldiers raising a large Ukrainian flag on the island, from which Russian forces withdrew on June 30.
Mr Yermak wrote on Twitter: “We need to tell more about Ukraine’s victories over Russia. Snake Island is one such victory. We are proud of our warriors. Glory to Ukraine.”
The flag of Ukraine on Snake Island. More videos like this ahead from Ukrainian cities that are currently under temporary occupation.
— Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) July 7, 2022
We need to tell more about Ukraine's victories over Russia. Snake Island is one such victory. We are proud of our warriors. Glory to Ukraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/TpoU6NtAEa
The strategically important island in the Black Sea was captured by Russia on the first day of the invasion of Ukraine, February 24.
But Ukraine announced that it was successfully recaptured on June 30.
On Thursday Serhiy Bratchuk, spokesman of Odesa Oblast Military Administration, reported on Telegram that two missiles had seriously damaged the island’s pier and hit two agricultural hangars in Odesa Oblast, destroying 35 tonnes of grain.
He said there were no injuries.
Russia said it pulled out from Snake Island last week as a “gesture of goodwill” to show it was not obstructing United Nations attempts to open a humanitarian corridor allowing grain to be shipped from Ukraine.
Ukraine said it had driven the Russian forces out after an artillery and missile assault.
Ukraine’s southern military command wrote on Facebook that, following a successful operation involving missile and artillery units, Russian forces had evacuated from Snake Island in two boats.
