On May 7, 2022, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (GUR) released a documentary titled “The Battle for Snake Island. The Sea”, addressing significant events in the Black Sea.

The film is available on GUR's official YouTube channel.

Airborne Operation on Snake Island May 7, 2022: key points

The film elaborates on the joint airborne operation involving GUR special forces and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) supported by the Navy, which took place three years ago.

Ukrainian officers mentioned in the film's commentary that this operation was executed with an unexpected approach using boats and helicopters to displace the enemy from the territory.

The commander of the GUR unit, known by the call sign “Shaman”, emphasized that the actions of the Ukrainian troops were a shock to the enemy.

“They did not foresee such a turn of events, and we inflicted considerable losses on them”, – the officer stated.

GUR noted that the battle for the island lasted most of the day, forcing the Russians to deploy air support to repel the attack. Although the Ukrainian paratroopers had to withdraw, it demonstrated that the island could be liberated.

Strategic Importance of Snake Island

Kyrilo Budanov, the head of GUR, stated that the experience gained from these actions is invaluable. “We significantly enriched our operational knowledge, especially during both the attempted seizure and subsequent liberation of the island, as well as when mastering the captured equipment left by the enemy”.

GUR reminded that the subsequent liberation of Snake Island in the summer of 2022 allowed Ukraine to regain control over crucial maritime trade routes.

“A unit of the Russian special forces was stationed there, attempting to block shipping. That will no longer be the case”, – Budanov remarked.

The liberation of Snake Island, GUR concluded, was a critical factor in the operation of the “grain corridor”, vital for Ukraine's economy and global food security.