Russia's 126-day occupation of Snake Island in 2022 marked a key naval confrontation in the Black Sea, ending with Russian withdrawal after sustained Ukrainian strikes.
Key Facts
- Occupation start date
- 24 February 2022
- Russian withdrawal date
- 30 June 2022
- Duration of occupation
- 126 days days
- Russian ship that hailed garrison
- Cruiser Moskva
- Viral garrison response
- "Russian warship, go fuck yourself"
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Snake Island, a small but strategically significant Ukrainian island in the Black Sea, was targeted by the Russian Navy on the invasion's first day as part of broader efforts to establish naval dominance in the region.
Russian naval forces, including the cruiser Moskva, attacked and captured Snake Island along with its entire garrison. A civilian search and rescue vessel attempting to evacuate soldiers was also seized. The garrison's defiant radio response went viral internationally, though initial reports of their deaths proved inaccurate. Russia then maintained a military occupation of the island.
Ukraine launched a sustained campaign of anti-ship missile, artillery, and air strikes against Russian forces on and around the island. Russia announced a withdrawal on 30 June 2022, framing it as a goodwill gesture. Russian bombing of the island reportedly continued afterward, causing Ukrainian military casualties, though Ukraine denied this.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent