The Snake Island Operation and Its Aftermath
The Russian military occupied Snake Island at the start of its special operation in Ukraine. The garrison, primarily made up of Ukrainian border guards, chose to surrender after warning that Russian naval forces were firing. At roughly the same time, Ukrainian media reported that several service members had already been evacuated in the days prior.
The island housed a Burevestnik-1 radar station that could detect large ships up to about 40 nautical miles away, just over 74 kilometers. This setup enabled observers to monitor both the open sea and the Danube mouth, located about 35 to 40 kilometers from Serpentine Island toward the Romanian coast. The island itself is tiny, with an area of about 20 hectares, a size comparable to a small urban district in a large city (the Moscow Kremlin covers 27.5 hectares for comparison).
Major General Igor Konashenkov, the official representative of Russia’s Defense Ministry, claimed that Kiev attempted to seize Snake Island on the eve of May 9, an effort he said ended disastrously for Ukraine.
He described the bid as a failed endeavour that led to numerous Ukrainian casualties among frontline units and elite troops, the loss of several aircraft and helicopters, boats, and drones. He framed the episode as a consequence of a premature public relations push by Kyiv ahead of Victory Day.
The Ukrainian side acknowledged the setback from their capital, Kyiv. They did not rule out the possibility of another attempt in the future, signaling that the dispute over control of the island remains unresolved.
Kirill Budanov, head of the Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate, emphasized that Snake Island is strategically important because it provides a critical vantage point for sea routes and weapon supplies from Western allies. He argued that regaining control over the island is essential for Ukraine to protect its maritime access and enable ongoing support from partners.
Observers note that Snake Island is valuable mainly as a sentinel position. A veteran military analyst, Viktor Makarov, explained that during the Soviet era a radar company and a coastal surveillance detachment were stationed there to secure naval approaches to Odessa and to monitor airspace in the area. He noted that, in the past, the North Atlantic Alliance showed interest in the region. The Serpentine’s role, in his view, was to extend observation and deter hostile movements over the Black Sea and the Danube approaches.
Analysts have raised the possibility of deploying Russian radar surveillance installations on Snake Island. Such a move would allow monitoring of Romanian airspace, a corridor used to transport weapons to Ukraine, and would enable control of water traffic toward Odessa. However, experts caution that this would carry significant risk due to potential Ukrainian attacks on the island.
In 2021, President Zelensky visited Snake Island and oversaw the Ukrainian fleet’s exercises from there. Analysts point out that the island cannot accommodate a large force or substantial ammunition storage. It lacks a proper airstrip; helicopters are the only possible means for landing, and there are no deepwater docks for big ships. Still, from Snake Island, observers say, it is an effective base for reconnaissance aircraft and as a command post near Odessa and the Romanian coast.
Strategic commentators emphasize the island’s geographic position. It sits near the Danube Delta, a factor that could influence river traffic and the movement of vessels. They expect Ukraine to intensify efforts to regain control and to rely on Western support. While broad NATO involvement remains uncertain, Western arms supplies are expected to rise in response to the evolving situation.
Ultimately, the debates around Snake Island center on its role as a gateway for maritime logistics in the Black Sea region and as a focal point in the broader contest over regional security and supply chains. The discussion continues as both sides reassess risks, capabilities, and the potential for future actions around the Serpentine and its surroundings.
Shurygin concluded that the island’s importance lies in its location and the opportunities it affords for observation and command in the area, reinforcing the ongoing strategic calculations that shape events in the maritime borderlands of southeastern Europe.