Documentary Film on Snake Island: New Insights
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (GUR MO) released a new documentary film on May 7 titled “Snake Island: Battle at Sea”, focusing on the combat actions for liberating this strategic location in 2022.
The film is available on GUR's official YouTube channel.
Paratrooper operation on Snake Island May 7, 2022: key details
This documentary provides a detailed account of the joint operation conducted by GUR special forces and the SBU, supported by the Navy, on May 7, 2022, exactly three years ago.
Ukrainian officers mentioned in the film's commentary that this operation was planned by intelligence in collaboration with the SBU as an “unexpected airborne operation using military boats and helicopters” aimed at driving the Russian forces off the island.
The commander of the GUR special unit known as “Shaman,” who participated in the operation, stated that the landing and attack by Ukrainian forces “shocked the occupiers.”
“They didn’t see it coming, and we definitely gave them a serious beating,” – said the officer.
GUR reported that the battle for Snake Island lasted most of the day, forcing the Russians to deploy aviation and reserves to fend off the attack. Eventually, the Ukrainian paratroopers had to return to their initial positions, but as emphasized by the intelligence, this assault “proved that the island could be liberated.”
Why is Snake Island strategically important?
The head of GUR, Kyrylo Budanov, noted in the film: “We significantly enriched our experience, especially through actions on this island. Both during the attempt to capture it and after liberation, when we had to master the trophy equipment left by the Russians there.”
GUR reminded that the subsequent liberation of Snake Island in the summer of 2022 allowed Ukraine to regain control over critical maritime trade routes for export.
“Until the end, a special forces unit of the Russian army was stationed there, trying to block shipping in the region. That will no longer be the case,” – Budanov stated.
The liberation of Snake Island, GUR concluded, became a key factor for the functioning of the “grain corridor,” vital for Ukraine’s economy and global food security.
