Russia claims to have destroyed three Ukrainian speedboats near Snake Island

Russia said its forces shot down eight drones near Crimea and destroyed three Ukrainian speedboats near Snake Island.

"US-made Willard Sea Force military speedboats carrying Ukrainian servicemen were destroyed northeast of Snake Island in the Black Sea," the Russian Defense Ministry announced on its Telegram account on the morning of September 10.

The Russian military also said it had shot down eight drones over the Black Sea, near the Crimean peninsula. Russia did not report any casualties or damage from either incident.

Ukraine has not responded to this information.

Snake Island is located in the Black Sea, currently controlled by Ukraine. Photo: AFP — Snake Island is located in the Black Sea, currently controlled by Ukraine. Photo: *AFP*

The Ukrainian military purchased five Willard Sea Force speedboats from California-based Willard Marine in 2013 and received them in Odessa in 2015. The Sea Force boats come in different sizes and can carry groups of six, 10 or 26 soldiers.

The Russian military announced on August 22 that it had destroyed a Willard Sea Force speedboat carrying a group of assault troops near Snake Island. Eight days later, the Russian military said naval air force fighters had destroyed four speedboats carrying Ukrainian special forces in the Black Sea, but the types were not clear.

Snake Island, also known as Zmiinyi Island, covers an area of about 17 hectares and is about 35 kilometers from the Ukrainian port of Odessa. Before the war, about 100 Ukrainian border guards were stationed on the island. Russia took control of the island a few days after the outbreak of hostilities.

Despite having no natural resources or permanent military bases, Snake Island plays an important role in controlling shipping routes in the Black Sea. The Russian Defense Ministry announced in June 2022 that its forces on Snake Island had “completed their mission.” Meanwhile, Ukraine said that missile and artillery attacks by its forces had forced Russian troops to leave.

After Russia withdrew its garrison from the island, Ukraine regularly sent small groups of soldiers there to maintain control.