Ukrainian drone attacks are preventing Russian troops from making further gains in the western region of the Black Sea, an assessment by British intelligence showed.

“Fighting continues on Zmiinyi Island, also known as Snake Island, with Russia repeatedly trying to reinforce its exposed garrison located there,’’ the assessment said.

The assessment said that both Ukrainian and Russian sources had reported heavy fighting on Snake Island around 35km off the coast, south of the city of Odesa.

British analysts said Ukraine has successfully struck Russian air defence and resupply vessels using Bayraktar drones.

They said Russian resupply vessels had minimum protection in the western Black Sea following the Russian Navy’s retreat to Crimea after losing the Moskva battleship.

According to the analysts, Russia’s efforts to augment its forces on Snake Island offer Ukraine more opportunities to engage Russian troops and destroy their weapons.

However, if Russia succeeds in consolidating its position with strategic air defence and cruise missiles, it could dominate the north-western Black Sea region. 

(dpa/NAN)