The recapturing of Snake Island shows what Ukraine can do

After days of missile strikes, Ukrainian forces have forced Russia off Snake Island in the Black Sea. ‘The enemy hastily evacuated the remnants of the garrison in two speedboats and left the island’, according to the Ukrainian Operational South Command. Russia’s defence ministry appeared to concede defeat, saying that ‘Russian forces have completed the assigned tasks and withdrew as a step of goodwill’. The retreat is huge news in Ukraine, as Snake Island is not only important strategic territory, but has acquired a cult status as a representation of Ukraine’s resistance.

Snake Island became world famous on the first day of the war when Ukrainian troops broadcast a message saying: ‘‘Russian warship, go fuck yourself’. The subsequent shelling enabled Russia to capture the island on 24 February. But that phrase was soon immortalised and can now be seen on Ukrainian billboards, postage stamps, graffiti and even tattoos.

The island – a relatively small hunk of rock, with no snakes – has taken on symbolic importance but is also militarily useful, given that it can be used as a launchpad for attacks on Ukraine and as a base for Russia to dominate the Black Sea.