Ukraine suffered heavy losses in the attempt to recapture the outpost island

On May 9, the Ministry of National Defense Russia said that the attempt by the Ukrainian armed forces to capture Snake Island (Zmienny) in the Black Sea resulted in failure and significant casualties, and noted that American and British advisers were involved in the planning. plan for this campaign.

RT quoted Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov as saying: “Over the past two days, Kiev has made many desperate attempts to land by air and sea. Snake Island – the island of forerunners important to secure control of the northwestern part of the Black Sea”.

According to spokesman Konashenkov, the attack was personally ordered by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 7 and the plan to capture the island was carried out by the staff in Kiev “with the direct participation” of advisers. from the US and UK.

Konashenkov said that Russian forces stationed on the island prevented Ukraine’s attack and caused “great damage” to the enemy. According to Konashenkov, Ukraine has lost four aircraft, including three Su-24 ground attack aircraft and one Su-27 fighter, and four helicopters, including one Mi-24 and three Mi -8 carrying troops.

During two days of fighting, 29 Ukrainian drones were shot down, including a total of eight Bayraktar TB-2 attack drones. Spokesman Konashenkov noted that four of the Turkish-made drones were shot down on May 9.

Ukraine’s losses also include three “Centaur” class attack ships, also known as Project 58181, which were sunk during the landing attempt on the night of May 8. The Russian military spokesman added that more than 50 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in the attack.

On May 8, Ukraine reported that its Bayraktar drone destroyed a Tor air defense system on the island and three Russian ships – a “Serna” class and two “Raptor” class ships. Kiev also shared a video showing two of the Ukrainian Su-27 jets bombing the island.

Located about 48km off the southern coast of Ukraine, Snake Island was captured by the Russian Navy during the first week of the military operation. The Ukrainian government and media initially claimed that by refusing to surrender, 13 Ukrainian soldiers were killed.

However, Russian Navy then released a clip showing that 82 Ukrainian soldiers on the island occupied by Russia were safe, not killed as the Ukrainian side alleged.