This was confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Defense earlier today to the Russian news agency Ria Novosti. – This is of course a great symbolic loss for Russia, says associate professor Lars Peder Haga at Luftkrigsskolen. SYMBOLIC LOSS: Lars Peder Haga at Luftkrigsskolen believes it is a great symbolic loss for Russia. Photo: The Armed Forces The battle for Snake Island, or Zmiinyi Island, was fierce. It all became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance, even though the Russians managed to take the small piece of land on the first day of the war. Referred to as heroes The Russian missile cruiser “Moscow” asked Ukrainian forces defending Snake Island in the Black Sea to surrender. – This is a Russian warship. I suggest you lay down your arms and surrender to avoid bloodshed and unnecessary sacrifices. Otherwise you will be bombed, was the order from the Russian commander. The Ukrainian soldier Roman Gribov had the following answer: – To the Russian naval vessel: Go to hell, Gribov said, pointing to the greeting. NEW STAMP: The Ukrainian soldiers who defended Slangeøya have become a popular stamp motif in Ukraine. Photo: EDGAR SU / Reuters Videos have previously shown violent explosions on the island. The soldiers on the island were called “heroes”, the BBC reported. Thousands of Ukrainians stood in line in April to buy a new stamp with Slangeøya as a motif. – The island is the scene of one of the most famous quotes in this war, and the Russians have invested prestige and resources in maintaining control there. This will be seen as a defeat, says Haga. Strategically important for the Russians Part of the reason why the island has been so strategically important is that it is close to the Ukrainian coast and the entrance to the important city of Odesa. SLANGEØYA: Located in the Black Sea – Now the Russians can no longer use Slangeøya to deploy air defense systems, radars or anti-ship missiles to control the sea and air areas there, says Haga. Thus, the Russians must have vessels and aircraft to control this area. SANK: The Russian missile cruiser “Moscow” sank in April Photo: Screenshot It was in this area that the Russian missile cruiser “Moscow” sank in April after being hit by two Ukrainian missiles. – Does the Russian withdrawal mean anything to the Ukrainians? – It takes away some concern for the Ukrainians. As long as the Russians do not return to the island, they will not have to deal with the fact that there may be Russian weapons systems there that threaten air and sea territory, according to Haga. – Uses the same excuse SLANGEØYA: Strategically important for both parties Photo: Фотонак (CC BY-SA 4.0) The withdrawal is referred to by Russia as “a gesture of goodwill”, to allow the UN to organize a humanitarian corridor for the export of grain and raw materials. Ukraine also refutes this claim, pointing out that Russian forces have consistently tried to bomb the country’s grain stocks, writes the BBC. – The Russians use the same excuse as when they withdrew from Kyiv. Then it looks like that is the only excuse they have, says Haga. WAR: Destroyed buildings on Slangeøya Photo: Satellite image Maxar Technologies / AFP Haga still doubts that it will be any easier to export goods from Ukraine now. – It gives the Ukrainians a little more freedom of action in the area, but the Russians will still be able to enforce the blockade. They have warships and planes that will both be able to stop vessels going in and out of Ukraine and maybe even attack them, Haga explains. READ ALSO: Three months of war – that’s why Putin’s plan failed
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Russia has left Slangeøya – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
