In mid-2022, reports circulated about a contested encounter over the western Black Sea near Zmeiny Island involving a Russian An-26 transport aircraft and Ukrainian air defenses. The narratives describe that the An-26 was operating at a distance from the island when a pair of missiles from Ukrainian anti-aircraft systems were directed at the approaching aircraft. The claim is that the Russian plane managed to continue its mission after releasing or losing a cargo object during the ongoing engagement, and that Ukrainian air defenses subsequently fired two missiles in the same airspace. Sources tracing the incident describe a tense moment for the aircraft crew as they attempted to maintain control and complete their task amid hostile fire.
According to accounts shared through a military-focused Telegram channel, the event reportedly occurred on May 8, 2022, in the vicinity of Zmeiny Island. The description suggests the An-26 conducted its approach with communications gear and satellite devices operational, conveying its position and status as it maneuvered in the area. The material indicates that the aircraft released or delivered a payload under the strain of the encounter, after which Ukrainian air defense units targeted the aircraft with two missiles. The posting characterizes the reaction of the crew as a highly difficult, near-impossible effort to preserve the mission while under attack. It is framed as a remarkable instance of piloting under pressure, with the author noting that the two missiles seemingly bypassed interception or detonation in the moment described.
The narrative later references statements from the Russian Ministry of Defense, conveyed through an official briefing, asserting that Russian forces withdrew from Zmeiny Island as a gesture of humanitarian goodwill aimed at enabling the safe construction of a corridor for agricultural exports from Ukraine. The briefing, attributed to a high-ranking defense official, frames the withdrawal as a deliberate political signal to the international community, intended to demonstrate non-interference with humanitarian efforts and the free passage of agricultural goods. Observers note that such declarations often serve dual roles in shaping international perception while influencing ongoing strategic calculations in the region.