The fierce fighting for the legendary Ukrainian island of snakes (ukr.: Zmiinyi, maximum length: 662 meters) is evidently continuing.
Ukraine has accused the Russian army of attacking the Black Sea island with phosphorus bombs.
Moscow’s troops “twice carried out airstrikes with phosphorus bombs” on Friday evening, Ukrainian army chief Valeriy Zalushny wrote on Telegram.
Only on Thursday did the Russian army announce its withdrawal from the Ukrainian island, which it had previously occupied for four months.
The Russian attacks took place around 6:00 p.m. local time, Saluschny wrote. The phosphorus bombs were dropped by the Russian army’s SU-30 aircraft.
Snake Island is considered a strategically important post for monitoring sea routes in the north-western part of the Black Sea.
Russia had tried to install missile and air defense systems on the island – but then withdrew from the island on Thursday. The Russian army spoke of a “gesture of good will”, while Ukraine spoke of an important military victory for its troops.
Phosphorus weapons are not explicitly prohibited under international law; however, a 1980 arms convention outlaws their use against civilians and in urban areas.
They can cause severe burns and poisoning.
▶︎ Review: Shortly after the start of the Russian invasion at the end of February, Putin’s troops shelled and captured Snake Island.
At that time, the 13 Ukrainian soldiers on the island did not surrender. One of them, Roman Gribow (32), radioed the attackers: “Russian warship, f… yourself.”
A radio message that went around the world. The courageous Ukrainian became a national hero and was honored with a postage stamp, among other things.
At first it was said that the 13 Ukrainian border guards had been shot. It was later said they were still alive. The heroic soldiers were released after a month in Russian captivity in a prisoner exchange.
Snake Island is about 35 kilometers off the Ukrainian coast. It has been a symbol of the Ukrainian resistance since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression.