Ukraine said Russian troops had withdrawn from the strategic Black Sea outpost near Odessa. Moscow confirmed the move and insisted that it had completed the assigned tasks.
Snake Island, which Russia occupied on the first day of its invasion, rose to fame when rebellious Ukrainian defenders rejected a surrender demand.
Ukraine’s defense ministry has taken to Twitter to celebrate the withdrawal of Russian soldiers from the island.
It tweeted: “Operation Command South confirms that Russian occupiers have left Snake Island.
“They couldn’t stand the weather – the ground was burning under their feet, the sea was boiling, the air was too hot.
“PS Russian warships are going crazy!”
Andriy Yermak, head of the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, added: “KABOOM!
“No more Russian troops on Snake Island. Our forces have done a great job.”
Ukraine’s Southern Military Command wrote on Facebook that Russian troops had fled in two boats after a successful operation with missiles and artillery units.
It said: “During the night, as a result of another successful phase of the military operation with attacks from our missiles and artillery, the adversary hastily evacuated the remains of the garrison (of Snake Island) with two speedboats… Currently, it covered with fire and explosions.”
Russia’s defense ministry insisted the withdrawal was a “goodwill gesture” to help the UN organize a humanitarian corridor to transport agricultural products from Ukraine.
It comes as the UK has pledged another £1 billion for the war effort in Ukraine.
The new funding is a significant increase on the £1.3 billion in military aid already provided by Britain.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Putin’s brutality continues to cost Ukrainian lives and threaten peace and security across Europe.
“As Putin fails to achieve the gains he expected and hoped for, and the futility of this war becomes apparent to all, his attacks on the Ukrainian people are becoming increasingly barbaric.
“British weapons, equipment and training are transforming Ukraine’s defenses against this attack.
“And we will stand firmly behind the Ukrainian people to make sure Putin fails in Ukraine.”
Foreign Minister Liz Truss added: “I have not met Vladimir Putin, I do not know what the motivation is to carry out this terrible war.
“All I know is that we must make it our absolute priority to end this war and drive Vladimir Putin and the Russian troops out of Ukraine.”
The pledge of additional military support comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged NATO leaders to do more to help his country resist Putin’s brutal invasion.