Pivden [South] Operational Command: Explosions and fire on Zmiinyi [Snake] Island, Russians evacuating

OLENA ROSHCHINA – THURSDAY, 30 JUNE 2022, 11:38

Pivden [South] Operational Command claims that Russian forces have hastily evacuated the remnants of their garrison on Zmiinyi [Snake] Island after Ukrainians launched multiple attacks on it.

Source: Pivden Operational Command official report; Russian Ministry of Defence

Quote: "During the night, after another successful phase of the next stage of the military operation with missile and artillery attacks on Zmiinyi Island, the enemy hurriedly evacuated the remaining garrison personnel on two speedboats and has likely left the island.

At the moment the island is engulfed by fire and explosions have been heard.

Additional reconnaissance is being carried out to determine the final results."

Details: The Ministry of Defence of Russia in its turn has claimed that "on 30 June, as a gesture of good will, Russian Armed Forces have completed their mission on Zmiinyi Island and have withdrawn the garrison that was there."

The Russian Defence Ministry hopes that this "gesture" will show that Russia is not impeding United Nations efforts to set up a humanitarian corridor for exporting agricultural products from Ukraine by sea.