Russian forces have withdrawn from Snake Island, a strategic Black Sea landmass off the southern coast near the city of Odesa. Ukraine said that it has driven Moscow’s troops out of the island in a strategic win, but Russia’s defence ministry said that it was a withdrawal as a “gesture of goodwill.”

Ukraine reported that its forces have recaptured the island, a move that weakens any potential plans Russia may have for a future land attack on that stretch of coastline.

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, the commander of Ukraine’s armed forces, said Ukrainian-made Bohdana howitzers had played an important role. He also thanked foreign partners for their support.

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However, Russia’s ministry of defence said it had completed its assigned tasks and was tactically withdrawing to allow for grain exports from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.

“In order to organise humanitarian grain corridors as part of the implementation of joint agreements reached with the participation of the UN, the Russian Federation decided to leave its positions on Zmiinyi Island,” the defence ministry said.

This comes as Ukraine and its Western allies have accused Russia of blockading the former’s ports to prevent the export of the country’s grain, contributing to a mounting global food crisis.

Snake Island, which Russia occupied on the first day of its invasion on Feb. 24, achieved worldwide fame when Ukrainian border guards stationed at the site rejected a Russian warship’s demand for their surrender. “Go f— yourself,” the guards had said which became one of the most popular Ukrainian slogans of resistance.

Recently, Ukraine’s armed forces reported carrying out several attacks on the island. The forces said that they had also hit the island rockets that allegedly damaged some of Russia’s air defense systems.

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Meanwhile, on Thursday, a ship carrying 7,000 tonnes of grain sailed from Ukraine’s port of Berdyansk, currently controlled by Russian forces.

“After numerous months of delay, the first merchant ship has left the Berdyansk commercial port, 7,000 tonnes of grain are heading toward friendly countries,” Evgeny Balitski, the head of the pro-Russia administration, said on Telegram.

Ukraine officials have accused Russia of stealing “several hundred thousand tonnes” of grain in Ukrainian areas under Russian occupation and selling it. However, Russia has denied the claims.