俄罗斯退出蛇岛 Russia withdraws troops from Snake Island
The Russian Defence Ministry says it has withdrawn its forces from Snake Island, which became a focus of attention in the first few days of the war when a small group of Ukrainian soldiers defending the island were heard in audio recordings telling a Russian warship to "go to hell".
"As a goodwill gesture, Russian troops have today completed the performance of tasks on Snake Island and withdrawn the garrison stationed there," the ministry said.
乌克兰南方军队：我们已经控制蛇岛 Southern Ukrainian forces: Snake Island under our control
We've just spoken to Anatoly Budyashevskyi, press officer for ground forces in the southern part of Ukraine, who confirmed to the BBC that Snake Island is now under Ukrainian control.
His command unit also just confirmed the news on Facebook, writing that a military operation has taken place on the island using rocket and artillery units.
乌克兰在蛇岛的胜利可能产生世界性效应 Ukraine's Snake Island victory could have global significance
不管是从战略角度还是其象征意义，蛇岛都是一场至关重要的战斗。
蛇岛距离乌克兰海岸不到 40 公里，自俄罗斯开始入侵以来一直备受关注。
俄入侵第一天，岛上的守军就成了民族英雄，因为他们以丰富多彩的中指告诉黑海旗舰莫斯科人离开。
从那时起，双方就在这个长满草的小岛上进行了战斗，导弹袭击成了常态。
尽管损失惨重，但俄罗斯似乎巩固了对蛇岛的控制。 大炮、导弹和人员都已部署完毕，直到今天以前似乎还在坚持。
但今天，乌克兰南部作战司令部取得了重大胜利。
“当晚，由于我方导弹和大炮的打击和又一次成功的军事行动，俄军匆忙中用两艘快艇疏散了（蛇岛）守军残部，它已经被炮火和爆炸覆盖了。”
现在，俄罗斯已经承认从蛇岛撤军。 但他们对事件的说法大相径庭，称他们已经“作为善意姿态”撤出，以帮助“联合国建立一条人道主义走廊，用于从乌克兰运输农产品”。
目前蛇岛已经被烟雾笼罩，俄罗斯的解释会让许多人感到牵强。
不管事情的真相如何，夺回蛇岛将是乌克兰的重大胜利。
如果它使黑海再次成为食品出口安全的日子更近了，那将是一场具有全球意义的胜利。
It is a crucial battle, both strategically and symbolically.
Snake Island sits less than 40km off Ukraine’s coast and has been keenly contested ever since the start of Russia’s invasion.
On the very first day, the island’s defenders became national heroes for telling the Black Sea Flagship the Moskva to go away, in somewhat more colourful terms.
Ever since then both sides have fought over the small grass-covered island, with regular missile strikes.
Despite losses, it seemed Russia had consolidated its grip on Snake Island; artillery, missiles and men had all been deployed and seemed to be holding on.
But today, Ukraine's Operational Command South claimed a major victory.
“During the night, as a result of another successful stage of the military operation with strikes by our missile and artillery, the opponent hurriedly evacuated the remains of the garrison (of Snake Island) with two speed boats… Currently, it is covered in fire and explosions.”
Now, Russia has admitted to withdrawing from Snake Island. Their version of events is rather different, saying they have pulled out “as a goodwill gesture” to help “the UN to establish a humanitarian corridor for transporting agricultural products from Ukraine".
Given the photos that have emerged of the island’s distinctive outline enveloped in smoke, that explanation will strike many as a little far-fetched.
Whatever the truth of the matter, retaking Snake Island will be a major victory for Ukraine.
If it brings closer the day when the Black Sea is once again safe for food exports, it is a victory that could have global significance.