Ukraine turns the tables on Russia with a ‘significant’ strike at Snake Island

Ukraine has won a “significant” victory against Vladimir Putin’s forces after launching a fierce attack on Russian-held Snake Island.

The Kremlin has suffered heavy casualties as Ukrainian forces bombarded the island with airstrikes.

Satellite images show burning vegetation and a destroyed tower as Kiev forces continue to push to regain control.

The Russian Pantsir air defense system, a radar station and vehicles were also damaged by rockets raining down from the sky.

The island became a symbol of Ukraine’s resistance to Vladimir Putin’s tyranny in February, just before the invasion began.

A brave group of 13 soldiers were recorded telling a Russian warship, “Fuck yourself,” as they refused to surrender.

Originally it was believed that the crew was killed after the Moskva bombarded the island with artillery fire.

But they managed to survive and were decorated for their bravery in March after being transferred back to Ukraine by prison transfer.

Since its conquest, the 100-hectare island has become a valuable strategic position for both sides as it lies some 80 miles off the south coast of Ukraine.

In April, the Moskva – the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet – was sunk by a Ukrainian missile.

It was a huge symbolic blow, and Moscow spent some time convincing the world that it was destroyed by an accidental fire on board before giving up.

The latest attacks on the island come days after a Russian Navy tugboat carrying crew and weapons was destroyed with two Harpoon missiles.

It was the first time Kyiv claimed to have hit a Russian ship with anti-ship missiles supplied by the West.

Ukrainian sources claimed that 10 sailors on board the tug were missing and presumed dead, while 23 others were injured.

Meanwhile, a “Kamikaze” drone was hurled into a large oil refinery on Russian territory.

The device flew at low altitude toward the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in the Rostov region, causing a huge explosion that was heard 10 miles away.

Russian workers who unknowingly filmed the strike were heard laughing when they saw a drone flying nearby.

But then they panicked and cursed after the refinery was hit, with one of the witnesses shouting, “Shit, run away.”

Meanwhile, pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk region have lost 55% of their troops, according to British intelligence.

The Defense Ministry said Russia’s outdated weapons and equipment had held back its forces, so the Kremlin must now send reserve units to the Donbas.

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