Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier hailed a victory over Russian forces occupying Snake Island, a strategic Black Sea island off the southern coast near the city of Odesa, APA reports citing The Guardian.

He said Zmiinyi Island – or Snake Island – was “free” after Russian forces withdrew from the strategic post.

“Zmiinyi Island is a strategic point, and it significantly changes the situation in the Black Sea. It does not guarantee safety yet, it does not yet guarantee that the enemy will not return. But it already limits the actions of the occupiers significantly. Step by step, we will drive them out of our sea, our land, and our sky.”

Source: Azeri-Press News Agency