Russian Defense Minister inspects combat training in the Southern Military District, while Ukrainian President heads to Snake Island on a speedboat.
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| Russia-Ukraine situation: Russian Defense Minister inspects training; President Zelensky inspects Snake Island. Image of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu chairing a meeting of the Russian Armed Forces in Moscow on July 3. (Source: Reuters) |
The Russian Defense Ministry Press Office announced on July 8 that Minister Sergei Shoigu visited shooting ranges in the Southern Military District to inspect combat training for newly formed military units.
“The Defense Minister (Shoigu) inspected the training, driving lessons and live-fire exercises of the crews of the T-90 Proryv tank. The crews were also trained on modern interactive simulators,” the agency said in a statement.
According to the Press Office of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Mr. Shoigu personally inspected combat training for contract soldiers in different environments and terrains, including urban operations.
The Russian Defense Ministry also released a video showing Shogu inspecting the range, watching shooting practice and talking to soldiers and commanders. However, it is unclear when the Russian Defense Minister made the inspection trip.
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| President Zelensky inspects Snake Island. (Source: Twitter) |
On the same day, July 8, a video posted on Telegram showed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visiting Snake Island to mark one year since Russian troops withdrew from the small Black Sea island. The visit took place as the conflict in Ukraine entered its 500th day.
According to the information, Mr. Zelensky is heading to Snake Island on a speedboat with Chief of Staff of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak.
“From here, from this place of victory, I want to thank each of our soldiers for the past 500 days,” President Zelensky declared.
Snake Island was taken over by the Russian military in late February last year. On June 30, 2022, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the withdrawal of troops from the island after being shelled by the Ukrainian military.
According to Moscow's explanation, the above step is a goodwill gesture to prove that Russia does not interfere with the United Nations' efforts to coordinate Ukraine's agricultural exports by sea.
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