Months after Russia seized an island that became emblematic of Ukraine's resistance to Russian aggression, the country scores an important victory in the Black Sea that could hold the key to reopening grain exports.
Russian forces have withdrawn from the strategically important Black Sea outpost of Snake Island, in a setback for Russia during its months-long invasion of Ukraine.
Russia's Defence Ministry said it withdrew from the island as a "gesture of goodwill", but Ukrainian officials said they drove troops out after aThe withdrawal could loosen Russia's grip on the Black Sea, and free-up tonnes of Ukraine's grain waiting to be exported overseas through key shipping lanes.
It's also a symbolic victory: The island has become emblematic of the spirit of Ukrainian resistance in the face of Russian missiles and attacks.Snake Island — or Zmiinyi Island in Ukrainian — is a speck of land in the Black Sea, stretching just a fraction over 1 square kilometre.It sits next to Ukraine's border with Romania, near the mouth of the Danube River and has previously been subject to a long territorial water dispute because it covers an area with important resources.
The island was captured by Russia on the first day of the invasion, when two Russian warships ordered Ukrainian border guards on the island to surrender, but they refused. "This is a Russian warship. I propose you lay down your weapons and surrender to avoid bloodshed and unnecessary victims. Otherwise, you will be bombed," the Russian warship Moskva allegedly broadcast.
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