Russia has labelled it a ‘gesture of goodwill’
Russia has withdrawn from Snake Island, where a group of Ukrainian soldiers famously told a Russian warship to “go f*** yourself.”
The Russian defence ministry has said that the move shows that they are not impeding efforts from the United Nations (UN) to organise a humanitarian corridor to export agricultural goods out of Ukraine.
Moscow has gone as far to describe the move as a “gesture of goodwill,” the Guardian reports.
In a statement, the defence ministry said: “In order to organise humanitarian grain corridors as part of the implementation of joint agreements reached with the participation of the UN, the Russian Federation decided to leave its positions on Zmiinyi Island.”
Snake Island achieved global fame in the early days of the war in Ukraine after border guards on the island refused to surrender to a Russian warship, telling sailors onboard to “go f*** yourself.”
You’re not going to believe it.
Russia’s war ministry has confirmed the evacuation from the Snake Island — again, as a “goodwill gesture” toward Ukraine.
Just with the same words they said after their rapid retreat from the Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy regions in late March. pic.twitter.com/1UsxEIu3K6— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) June 30, 2022
Initial reports said the soldiers had been killed as a result, but it was later revealed that they had in fact been taken captive by Russian forces.
They were eventually released in March as part of a prisoner swap.
The man who issued the “go f*** yourself” command was Roman Gribov. He was later awarded a medal for his service and for showing “strength and Ukrainian spirit.”
Ukraine has labelled Russia’s withdrawal from the island as a significant victory. Snake Island holds major strategic importance, sitting less than 40km off Ukraine’s southern coast.
In a post on social media, Ukraine’s Operational Command South said: “During the night, as a result of another successful stage of the military operation with strikes by our missile and artillery, the opponent hurriedly evacuated the remains of the garrison (of Snake Island) with two speed boats… Currently, it is covered in fire and explosions.”
KABOOM!
No Russian troops on the Snake Island anymore. Our Armed Forces did a great job.
More kaboom news to follow. All will be 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/ItdP3oQvHK— Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) June 30, 2022
By giving up the island, it is hoped a safe corridor can now be created for agricultural shipments to pass through.
Ukraine supplies roughly one tenth of the world’s wheat, 16 percent of its maize and half of its sunflower oil, the Metro reports.
The vast majority of its shipments usually leave via ports in the Black Sea, but Russian blockades on these ports have caused major food supply issues across the globe.
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