The Russian army withdrew its troops from Bam Island (Zmini Island), a strategic strategic point in the Black Sea.
According to Archyde.com and AFP news agency, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzny said in a telegram on the 30th (local time) that “the invaders who might not withstand shelling, missiles and airstrikes left Bam Island.”
“I would like to thank the Odessa Regional Defense Forces for their best efforts to liberate our strategically important territories,” he added.
Ukraine’s chief of staff at the President’s Office, Andriy Ermak, also tweeted on the same day, “There are no Russian troops on Bam Island anymore.
“Our military has done a great job,” he said.
Russia has also confirmed that its troops are withdrawing troops from Bam Island.
“Today, as a sign of goodwill, Russian armed forces withdrew their garrison there following completing their mission on Bam Island,” the Ministry of Defense said.
Russia’s defense ministry said the move showed it was not hampering the UN’s efforts to create a humanitarian channel for Ukrainian grain exports.
However, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleva tweeted: “Russia always tries to cover up defeat in this way.”
He urged the West for arms support, saying, “Send more weapons so that we can recover more territory.”
Mikhail Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian presidential office, who heads the Ukrainian peace negotiating group, sarcastically said on Twitter, “So in order to get Russia to do it, you need to beat it regularly.”
Snake Island is located in the northwest of the Black Sea, regarding 48 km from the southern tip of mainland Ukraine.
From Russia’s point of view, Bam Island is a strategic point that can reach even Moldova and Romania, a NATO ally.
On the day of the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Russia sent the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, the Moscow, to occupy Snake Island.
When it became known that Snake Island guards responded to the Moscow’s request for surrender, “Shut it off,” Snake Island emerged as a symbol of resistance to the Russian invasion.
/yunhap news
