Snake Island Russian counter attack, changed the course of war

Contemporary military historians would record Snake Island counter attack by Russia as the watershed event that changed the course of Ukraine war. As a, colossal failure on the part of Ukraine it gave moral boost to Russia and sapped morale of Ukros. Moreover, it made the Island doubly significant. Details here:

A key salience of Russian special military operation was the capture of Snake Island known as “Zmiiyi” on 24 February, a day after it began earnestly. Memorably, it was the last engagement of flag ship Moskva before it sank in the Black Sea. Located about 30 miles away from the coast line of Rumania and Ukraine this inconsequent and insignificant 42 acres rock outcrop turned out as an “unsinkable destroyer” for Russia with heavy strategic importance.

Under advice by British Intelligence, Zelensky despite objections from the Ukro general command attempted a doomed retake on May 9 that resulted in massive losses for Ukraine in terms of men and military assets. A cocktail of 14 planes, 10 helis, 3 landing crafts & 20 drones out of which Turkish made Byraktar numbering 9 were dusted along with about 50 Ukro commandos. What is surprising is that this Russian counter attack was accomplished by Kalibr missiles launched from Crimea.

Major General Igor Komshenkov Russian military spokesperson dubbed the Ukro retake offensive as “a senseless PR action mindless from the military standpoint”. I beg to differ from the Major General. I think Zelensky did the right thing by ordering the retake of Zmiiyi. My analysis of the strategy and tactical manoeuvre is spelled out in the following bullet points:

• Snake Island lends strategic significance to Russian armed forces who can oversea the entire stretch of Black Sea with special focus over North & West
• Russia can easily interdict naval crafts sallying forth towards both Ukraine and Rumania where NATO has its air base in Mihail Kogᾰlniceanu.  Besides Odessa in Ukraine and Constanta in Rumania come under Russian surveillance
• Snake Island is just crows flying distance away from the mouth of Danube River that not only delineates the border between these two countries but economically vital for them. 
• Finally as and when Russia locates S-500 missiles in Zmiiyi, it is game over for America led western armed forces in the Black Sea. 
  

 

Cheers!

 

Muthu Ashraff Rajulu

Business Strategist

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