Exactly two years ago, on June 30, 2022, Special Forces personnel of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and the SBU Special Operations Centre ‘A’ landed on Zmiinyi Island.

The mission to liberate the island, which also involved border guards, warriors of the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Special Operation Forces soldiers, pilots of the Army Aviation and Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, was planned by Military Intelligence of Ukraine.

“The liberation of Zmiinyi had a very serious economic significance. As soon as we regained control of the island, we were able to resume maritime trade,” Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov told in an interview for The Globe and Mail.

The de-occupation of the island, located 37 kilometres off the coast, also influenced the subsequent strategic operation of the Ukrainian Security and Defence Forces against the invaders in Crimea and in the Black Sea.

For example, the destruction of russian warships by Magura V5 naval strike drones and Ukraine’s overall victory over russia in the Black Sea is an important consequence of the fact that Zmiinyi Island is under our control.

Honour and eternal glory to the Ukrainian warriors who laid their lives in the battle for Zmiinyi.

Glory to Ukraine!

To join the gathering for “Magura for DIU”:  https://send.monobank.ua/jar/7dFh8mmuXf

Watch a documentary from the series “Military Intelligence of Ukraine” by Artem Shevchenko about the liberation of Zmiinyi.