The Russian army withdrew from the island of Serpent

Russia’s military announced on Thursday that it had withdrawn from Serpents Island, a strategic position in the Black Sea occupied by Moscow that has come under Ukrainian bombardment in recent weeks.

The small island became a symbol of the Russian invasion from the first day, when a member of the small Ukrainian garrison defending it demanded the surrender of the Russian ship, telling him to “go on his own”. before finally surrendering.

“On June 30, as a sign of goodwill, the Russian Armed Forces achieved the objectives set on Serpents Island and withdrew their garrison there,” Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.

“Russia will not oppose UN efforts to create a humanitarian corridor to export grain production from Ukraine,” he continued.

“This decision will no longer allow Kyiv to speculate on an impending food crisis by saying that it is impossible to export grain due to Russia’s complete control over the northwest of the Black Sea,” Igor Konashenkov said.

Serpents Island, located in the northwest of the Black Sea near the Ukrainian and Romanian coasts, was seized by Moscow at the start of its offensive in Ukraine, launched on February 24.

The island is regularly targeted by Ukrainian drone and missile attacks.

Russia vowed on June 21 to repulse a “crazy” attempt by Kyiv forces to recapture Serpents Island.