Ukrainian Forces Successfully Remove Russian Presence from Snake Island's Oil Platforms

Ukrainian commandos have successfully raided and seized control of two Russian-controlled oil platforms in the western Black Sea, known as the Boyko Towers. The platforms were originally seized by Russian forces in 2015, but Ukrainian commandos managed to board the platforms, seize radar and rockets, and survive an attack by a Russian fighter-bomber. While the platforms cannot be permanently garrisoned by either side due to their vulnerability, Ukraine's capture of the platforms disrupts Russia's defensive architecture in the Black Sea and creates a zone of relative safety for grain ships. It also denies Russia the ability to fully control the Black Sea waters and impede Ukrainian naval operations.