Russian defense ministry says warplane hit Ukrainian troops on Snake Island

Ukrainian service members install a national flag on Snake Island in this handout picture released July 7, 2022. (Press service of the Ukrainian Armed Forces via Reuters)

• Russian forces withdrew from Snake Island in the Black Sea on June 30

Russia’s defense ministry said on Thursday that a Russian warplane struck Ukraine’s Snake Island in the Black Sea overnight, shortly after Ukrainian troops claimed to have raised their flag over the island.
Andriy Yermak, the Ukrainian President’s chief of staff, posted a video on Telegram on Thursday of three soldiers raising a large Ukrainian flag on the island, from which Russian forces withdrew on June 30.