The Armed Forces of Ukraine have struck Snake Island with American M777 howitzers and 25 different types of missiles.
The Ukrainian military carried out one of the largest attacks on Snake (Zmeiny) Island, firing 4 Tochka-U tactical missiles at the island, 21 missiles of an unidentified MLRS, as well as strikes from American M-777 light towed howitzers.
The relevant statement was made by the South Operational Command on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
“The concentrated blow was dealt to Snake Island, using different forces and means of destruction. As a result, something proudly named by rashists as ‘the island garrison’ is counting significant losses. The military operation continues and requires information silence until it is over,” the report states.
In addition, the Ukrainian military eliminated 26 Russian troops, destroyed an enemy tank and multi-purpose armored tracked vehicle in southern Ukraine.
“Our units continue to destroy the enemy and push them back to the east. This morning a pair of helicopters has struck a group of enemy troops and military equipment. Rocket and artillery units completed more than 100 fire missions. The results are yet to be checked, but, as of this morning, it is already known that 26 rashists were eliminated. One enemy tank, one multi-purpose armored tracked vehicle, three armored vehicles and four trucks will no longer harm the Ukrainian people,” the South Operational Command noted.
However according to Russian media, no serious damage was done to the island and the military infrastructure located on it – the attack was repelled by the Russian military. At the same time, 14 unmanned aerial vehicles of an unidentified type were also shot down. Russian media also reported that a Global Hawk RQ-4 was detected.
“More than 15 Ukrainian UAVs in strike and reconnaissance performance were involved in the air raid, which were guided by two Bayraktar TB-2 unmanned aerial vehicles. The anti-aircraft cover of Ukrainian UAVs was provided by S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems from combat positions in the Tuzla and Ochakov areas. Rocket and artillery strikes on Zmeiny Island were delivered by Tochka-U OTRK, Uragan MLRS and M-777 155-mm howitzers from firing positions west of Odessa and on Kubansky Island. Shot down in the air: 13 unmanned aerial vehicles, four Tochka-U missiles and 21 Uragan multiple rocket launchers. None of the Ukrainian fire weapons reached the target on Zmeiny Island , ”the Russian Ministry of Defense reports, commenting on the situation of the last 24 hours.
new before/after satellite imagery of Snake Island, where Ukraine allegedly hit Russian positions a couple days ago. Images 1-2: taken June 17. Images 3-4: taken June 21. Some damage to the tower on the island's southern end is visible along with burned vegetation. 📸 @Maxar pic.twitter.com/WwKtllzupN
— Mike Eckel (@Mike_Eckel) June 22, 2022
Information about the absence of damage and destruction is confirmed by satellite imagery, which shows that there are no fires on the island.
However according to the Planet Labs satellite image, which was shot on June 21, 2022, shows at least three newly darkened areas on Snake Island, also known as Zmiinyi Island. These appear to be scorch marks reflecting recent explosions and/or fires. These visibly discolored spots were not seen in an earlier satellite image of the island from Planet Labs, which was taken just before noon local time on June 20.
