Humenyuk: the Russians are attacking Zmiinyi to put pressure on the shipowners

The Russians are striking the Zmiinyi Island in Odesa in order to put pressure on ship owners and block exports from Ukrainian ports.

The Russian Federation, by striking Zmiinyi Island, is trying to demonstrate its dominance in the Black Sea, Natalya Humenyuk, head of the joint coordination press center of the Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine, told Espresso.

She explained that transport routes recommended for civil shipping are concentrated around Zmeiny. Therefore, the Russians are trying to put pressure on the shipowners with shelling, convincing them that the water area of the territorial sea of Ukraine is dangerous, as well as the ports.

Previously, USM reported that the Defense Intelligence confirmed the fact of a combat collision between a Russian aircraft and Ukrainian boats in the Black Sea, but the destruction of one such boat was denied.

The collision took place in the territorial waters of Ukraine near Zmiinyi Island, in the area of the so-called “boika towers”. According to the Defense Intelligence, the aircraft of the occupiers tried to attack military vessels of the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine, but received a response.