The anniversary of the de-occupation of Zmiinyi Island, when the Armed Forces of Ukraine repelled the island from the Russians, is celebrated on June 30. The island was liberated after powerful strikes from Ukrainian artillery, and the occupiers hastily evacuated the remnants of their garrison, leaving Zmiinyi.
Zmiinyi Island was captured by Russian troops at the beginning of the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. In response to the ultimatum from the Russian cruiser "Moskva" for Ukrainian border guards to lay down their arms, one of the border guards replied: "Russian warship, go f*ck yourself!". These words became a symbol of resilience and steadfastness in the face of a much larger and more powerful adversary.
Ukraine began the return of the island in April 2022 with the sinking of the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the ship "Moskva". According to the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Major General Kyrylo Budanov, this played an important role in the liberation of Zmiinyi – as did the emergence of weapons in Ukraine capable of delivering fire damage to the island without the use of aviation.
As Budanov recounted, planning for the operation to de-occupy Zmiinyi began in mid-March 2022. From the end of April until the end of June, Ukrainian forces struck the island, destroying vessels, ammunition depots, and the enemy's air defense.
The operation is detailed in the documentary film by Artem Shevchenko "Sea. The Battle for Zmiinyi Island". The film includes footage of the landing of special forces from the Ministry of Defense's GUR and the "Alpha" group of the SBU on May 8, 2022, and their battle on the island. It describes how helicopters flew to Zmiinyi to deliver fire damage to the enemy.
The operation, according to the head of the GUR, consisted of several stages: "The first stage was artillery preparation, the second involved aviation. Then there was the third stage – reconnaissance of the coastal zone and demining."
On June 30, Russian troops fled the island under constant strikes from the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Russian propaganda traditionally referred to this retreat as a "gesture of goodwill".
Zmiinyi Island was occupied for 126 days. The operation to liberate it lasted about two months. On July 4, the operation to free Zmiinyi was officially completed, and on July 7, 2022, the Ukrainian flag was raised there.
Special units of the GUR and the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the "Alpha" groups of the SBU, and the State Border Guard Service participated in the de-occupation of Zmiinyi with the support of artillerymen from the Naval and Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
During the operation, GUR fighters were killed: Ruslan Popov – Hero of Ukraine, captain of the 1st rank; Oleg Zaitsev – Hero of Ukraine, junior lieutenant; Vitaliy Ihnatenko – Hero of Ukraine, soldier; fighters of the SBU "Alpha": Volodymyr Kyseliov – Hero of Ukraine, captain; Oleksandr Krykunenko – Hero of Ukraine, major; soldiers of the Naval Forces: Ihor Bedzai – Hero of Ukraine, colonel; as well as Mykhailo Zaremba – major, Serhiy Mushytskyi – captain, Yuriy Pyroh – staff sergeant. These names were announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The liberation of Zmiinyi had significant economic importance, as control over the island allowed for the partial restoration of maritime trade. At the same time, the de-occupation of the island, located 37 kilometers from the coast, also affected the subsequent strategic operation of the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine aimed at the invaders in Crimea and the Black Sea.