Russians retreating from Zmiinyi (Snake) Island may have mined the island and waters – Pivden [South] Operational Command

OLHA HLUSHCHENKO  — FRIDAY, 1 JULY 2022, 03:12

The Russian invaders, retreating from Zmiinyi (Snake) Island, could have resorted to mining the territory of the island and the surrounding waters.

Source: Pivden [South] Operational Command

Quote: "As they completed the emergency evacuation of personnel from Zmiinyi (Snake) Island, the ruscists [Russians – ed.] destroyed military equipment, documentation and property. The area, pier and surrounding waters near the island may have been mined.

According to the updated information, as a result of Ukrainian missile and artillery strikes, the Tor anti-aircraft missile complex, one of the small boats, a trailer containing a diesel generator, a radar station and a field storage of ammunition were destroyed.

And during the retreat, the ruscists themselves blew up the transport-charger for the Tor anti-aircraft missile system, the Tornado-G multiple rocket launcher system and also lost a helicopter over the sea."

Details: The Pivden [South] Operational Command emphasises that "the operation is ongoing", and that to ensure control over the island, they must conduct a thorough verification and rule out provocations.

The Ukrainian military is thoroughly investigating the situation.

"To cover the evacuation, the enemy carried out more than twenty airborne sorties from Crimea," the message reads.

It is also reported that one of the cover fighter-bombers fired 2 Kh-31 cruise missiles over Odesa, which hit the agricultural fields of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district.

"There were no destructions or losses," said the Pivden [South] Operational Command.

Background:

• The Russian occupiers fled Zmiinyi Island on Thursday 30 June after Ukrainian forces launched multiple attacks on it, some of them using Ukrainian Bohdana howitzers.
• The Russian authorities later claimed that they had "completed their mission on Zmiinyi Island", and the garrison stationed there had been withdrawn "as a goodwill gesture".
• The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the complete liberation of the territory of Odesa Region from the aggressors.
• The US company Maxar Technologies released satellite images of Zmiinyi Island after its liberation from the Russian aggressors.