AFU explains why Russia bombed Snake Island at night

The Russian military dropped four air bombs on Snake Island on the night of 11 February to create an artificial victory for their propaganda and test the Ukrainian army's readiness for defence, the head of the United Coordinating Press Centre of the Defence Forces in southern Ukraine, Nataliya Humenyuk, has said in a TV marathon.

They attacked it with aerial bombs. This suggests that they are hinting at developments, including in the south," Humenyuk said.

According to her, the enemy is trying to create an information background for itself without having any real success to boast about in the south.

They are also trying to check our defence preparedness and to see if we have already created a strong bastion, which they will have to assault again. The other day they tried to scout and later decided to show their 'strength' and 'presence. But what did they bomb? What they themselves left behind there," said Gumenyuk.

The Russian military left Snake Island in the Black Sea on June 30, 2022. The Russian Defence Ministry later confirmed this information, calling the withdrawal a "goodwill gesture", while Russian military, officials and analysts repeatedly stressed the strategic importance of the island.