Russia controls Black Sea – Ukraine fails on Snake Island
Created: 05/25/2022, 16:27
By: Marvin Ziegele
A satellite photo shows destroyed buildings on Snake Island in the Ukraine conflict.
© Maxar Technologies/AFP
The Black Sea remains contested, but so far Russia has had the upper hand.
Kyiv – The so-called Snake Island in the Black Sea is gaining strategic importance in the Ukraine conflict as Russia seeks to maintain its blockade of Ukraine's remaining coastline.
Despite videos of TB2 drones destroying Russian anti-aircraft systems, helicopters and landing craft this month, Ukraine has failed in its attempt to retake the island.
The island was lost in the early days of the war when its crew told the attacking Russian warship to "piss off".
The Russian military said it prevented a major landing by Ukrainian troops on the strategically important Snake Island in the Black Sea in mid-May.
Ukrainian troops have landed airborne units and marines on the island, Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in Moscow.
"The Ukrainian provocation was thwarted by the skilful actions of the Russian units on the island," he added.
Ukraine News: At least three quarters of Ukrainian Navy lost
The Russian Navy has dominated the Black Sea since the beginning of the war, not least because Ukraine had no naval force to speak of, the Guardian news portal reports.
She had lost at least three-quarters of her navy when Russia captured Crimea in 2014, and her only remaining frigate was deliberately sunk days into the war to prevent her capture.
"Think of the island as an unsinkable destroyer," Andy Netherwood, an air defenses expert, told the Guardian.
"If you put a radar and surface-to-air missile systems there, you can control the airspace in the northern Black Sea, including the strategically important approach to Odessa."
Ukraine News: Russia maintains supremacy in Black Sea
Russia has used its supremacy over the Black Sea to fire Kalibr cruise missiles at Ukrainian targets, including from submarines.
The missiles have a range of 1,200 miles and can theoretically hit virtually anywhere in Ukraine.
(marv)
