Ukraine to regain control of Snake Island after Russians withdraw
The Russian army said on Thursday that it had withdrawn from Snake Island, a strategic position in the Black Sea conquered by Moscow which had come under Ukrainian shelling in recent weeks.
The defence ministry in Moscow said the move was "a sign of goodwill" and aimed at facilitating grain exports.
The small island became emblematic on the first day of the Russian offensive when a member of the small Ukrainian garrison defending it used an expletive in response to Russian demands they surrender.
"On 30 June, as a sign of goodwill, the Russian armed forces fulfilled their objectives on Snake Island and withdrew their garrison there," said Russian defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov.
"Russia does not oppose UN efforts to create a humanitarian corridor to export grain from Ukraine," he said.
Earlier on Thursday, authorities appointed by Moscow in the Black Sea port of Berdiansk said that a merchant ship carrying 7,000 tonnes of grain had left the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city, protected by the Russian navy and heading for "friendly countries".
Ukraine has accused Russia for weeks of stealing its wheat crops from areas occupied by the Russian army in southern Ukraine and illegally selling it internationally. Moscow denies any theft.
Konashenkov added that the withdrawal from Snake Island would "no longer allow Kyiv to speculate about an imminent food crisis" by claiming it was impossible to export grain because of Russian control of the area.
Andriy Yermak, head of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's office, hailed the Russian withdrawal. "KABOOM!" he tweeted. "No Russian troops on the Snake Island anymore. Our Armed Forces did a great job."
Snake Island, located in the northwestern Black Sea near the Ukrainian and Romanian
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