Snake Island campaign

A series of military engagements between Russia and Ukraine over control of Snake Island in the Black Sea from February to June 2022.

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Snake Island: A small rocky island in the Black Sea, part of Ukraine's Odesa Oblast. Its position near shipping routes and the Danube Delta made control strategically valuable.
Russian invasion of Ukraine: Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, launched on 24 February 2022. The island's capture on the invasion's first day opened this campaign.
Black Sea grain initiative: A 2022 agreement that enabled Ukrainian grain exports from Black Sea ports despite Russia's invasion. Russia's withdrawal from Snake Island helped improve conditions for reopening maritime export routes.
Battle of Snake Island: The February 2022 seizure of Snake Island by Russian forces and the Ukrainian garrison's surrender. This opening engagement established Russian control and became famous for a disputed radio exchange.
Black Sea Fleet: The Russian Navy fleet based in the Black Sea, headquartered in Sevastopol. Its ships supported Russia's occupation and attempted resupply of the island.
Russo-Ukrainian War: The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine that began in 2014. The 2022 island fighting formed one maritime front in this larger war.
Snake Island postage stamp: A Ukrainian postage stamp issued in 2022 depicting a soldier's defiant response to a Russian warship. The island's early resistance became a widely circulated symbol of Ukrainian defiance.
Russian capture of Snake Island: Russia's occupation of Snake Island beginning on 24 February 2022. The capture began the period of Russian control contested throughout the campaign.
Neptune missile: A Ukrainian-made anti-ship cruise missile designed to strike surface vessels. Ukraine's Neptune missiles sank the cruiser Moskva, weakening Russian operations near the island.
Battle of Kherson: The 2022 Russian offensive that captured Kherson and surrounding parts of southern Ukraine. Control of the northern Black Sea coast shaped the campaign's wider strategic setting.