Located in the northwest of the Black Sea, the island had been conquered by Moscow from the start of the offensive in Ukraine.
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A territory small in size, but of great importance. The Russian army announced on Thursday June 30 that it had withdrawn from Serpents’ Island, a strategic position in the Black Sea conquered by Moscow and which has been under Ukrainian bombardment in recent weeks.
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This small island became iconic from the first day of the Russian offensive. The images of a member of the small Ukrainian garrison which defended it, telling the Russian ship which demanded its surrender to go “fuck off”, had traveled around the world. The Ukrainian soldier finally surrendered.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the withdrawal of forces from Moscow, which “accomplish the set goals” on the island. This “sign of good will” should facilitate grain exports from Ukraine, a ministry spokesman said.
“This decision will no longer allow kyiv to speculate on an impending food crisis by saying that it is impossible to export grain because of Russia’s total control over the northwest Black Sea”
The Russian Ministry of Defense
Serpents’ Island, located in the northwest of the Black Sea, near the Ukrainian and Romanian coasts, was conquered by Moscow at the start of the offensive in Ukraine, launched on February 24. The island was then regularly targeted by Ukrainian drone and missile strikes.