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Boris Johnson: Russia's Snake Island retreat shows Ukraine's ability to fight back
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday (June 30) Russia's decision to abandon the strategic Black Sea outpost of Snake Island was evidence of Ukraine's ability to fight back.
Johnson told a news conference at the NATO Summit in Madrid: "If you wanted evidence of the amazing ability of the Ukrainians to fight back to overcome adversity and to repel the Russians then look at what has happened just today on Snake Island, where again Russia has had to cede ground.”
"In the end it will prove impossible for Putin to hold down a country that will not accept his rule," he added.
Russian defence officials said on Thursday (June 30) that troops have abandoned their positions on a captured Ukrainian island, a major setback to their invasion effort that weakens their blockade of Ukraine's ports.
Snake Island became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance in the first days of the war, when the rocky outcrop's defenders told a Russian warship that called on them to surrender to "go f*ck yourself," an incident that spurred a defiant meme.
Ukrainian troops getting weapons training in UK
It was also a strategic target, sitting aside shipping lanes near Ukraine's port of Odessa. Russia had attempted to install missile and air defence batteries while under fire from drones.
The news from the Black Sea came as NATO leaders wrapped up their summit in Madrid, intent on demonstrating their unity and determination to back up Kyiv with advanced weapons in the face of Moscow's assault.
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