Russia Snake Island withdrawal, strategic or tactical

Russia announced on June 30 that her forces had been withdrawn from the Snake Island as a goodwill measure. Earlier the capture was touted as key salience of Russian military operations. Is this move amounts to strategic or tactical withdrawal?

Snake Island also known as “Zmiinyi” is a small rocky outcrop of less than 97 acre located roughly 24 and 28 miles off from the coastline of Ukraine & Rumania. Its strategic significance is well appreciated. (Read). There had been several attempts by Ukraine to re-capture this rock ending in massive failure and loss of men & materials.

My analysis on the basis of business strategy at the backdrop of geoeconomics reveals that it is tactical in operation but strategic in intention. My position is supported by the following facts:

 

• The cost of holding this remote and inhospitable outpost is a drain of resources on the part of Russia. Mainly because she can do the surveying, monitoring and controlling the entire stretch of Black Sea from Sevastopol in Crimea.
• Allowing Ukraine to claim victory and boast that this was due to use of US/NATO weapons that would certainly appease to their ego.
• Put Ukraine in perspective as regards to her floating WWII mines in and around the port of Odessa, to clear these in order to facilitate grain exports.  Since these mines cannot be traced easily Ukr has to spend whale of a lot money and labour to clear them and give “all safe sign”.
• The other ports of significance in Ukr grain export being Melitopol, Mariupol and Berdyansk are now in the Russian hands and are completely demined.
• Forcing the America led west to come into terms with three conditions imposed by Russia that are fair and in the interest of for both Russia & Ukraine.

1. Secure safety of grain export from port of Odessa under international law that includes Russian approval, because the entire north, west and eastern parts of black Sea is under the control of Russia
2. No external navy other than Russian would be allowed to provide safe passage in Black Sea until the beginning point of Turkish Straits.
3. No military assets are to be transported in naval vessels under the guise of grain export. Russian Navy has the right to stop every vessel sailing to and fro Ukrainian ports and examine the freight within.

 

Cheers! 

 

Muthu Ashraff Rajulu

Business Strategist

Mobile: + 94 777 265677

E-mail:   cosmicgems@gmail.com

Blog:   Business Strategist