The Russian military ministry said that its soldiers shot down six Ukrainian aircraft and drones on Snake Island off the coast of Ukraine.

Russia’s stance on the situation

Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, a defense ministry spokesperson, told reporters in Moscow that a Ukrainian Su-24 bomber, a Su-27 fighter plane, three Mi-8 helicopters with landing forces, and two Turkish-made attack drones had been shot down.

“The Ukrainian amphibious assault boat Stanislav has also been destroyed,” he said.

The ministry released a video purportedly showing Russian air defenses on Snake Island downing a drone.

Ukraine’s stance on the situation

Earlier, the Ukrainian military reported combat near Snake Island but made no mention of casualties. It uploaded drone footage purporting to show its fighters annihilating a Russian landing craft on the island. It was also said that two anti-aircraft missile systems had been destroyed.

Snake Island is where Ukrainian forces responded to Russian attacks with defiance early in the conflict. According to a purported audio exchange, a Russian officer told the Ukrainians to lay down their arms, but a soldier responded: “Russian warship, go f*** yourself.” All 13 Ukrainian defenders were at first believed to have been killed; it was later revealed that they were alive but had to surrender due to lack of ammunition.

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