Recently, Ukraine has delivered a significant blow to the Russian military in the Black Sea. The airstrikes were launched on Zmiinyi Island, more commonly known as Snake Island. This successful mission stands as the second major military victory for Ukraine, using missiles supplied by the West.
The Geography of Snake Island
Snake Island is a small, X-shaped rock measuring less than 700 meters from end to end. Its geographical location is 35 km off the coast in the Black Sea, east of the Danube’s mouth, and southwest of the port city Odessa. The Danube is known as the second longest river in Europe, originating from the Black Forest mountains in Germany and extending approximately 2,850 km until it meets the Black Sea. Snake Island, marked on maps by the tiny village of Bile, is under Ukraine’s jurisdiction.
The Black Sea: An Overview
The Black Sea finds its boundaries with Ukraine towards the north and northwest. Russia and Georgia lie to its east, Turkey is to the south, and Romania and Bulgaria mark its western border. The sea connects to the Sea of Marmara through the Bosphorus and subsequently to the Aegean Sea via the Dardanelles. Traditionally, this has been Russia’s warm water pathway into Europe. The Sea of Azov is also linked to the Black Sea through the Strait of Kerch.
The Strategic Importance of the Black Sea for Russia
For Russia, the Black Sea serves two purposes: it acts as a strategic buffer separating Russia from NATO countries, and it offers quick access to the Mediterranean. Domination of the Black Sea region is a geostrategic imperative for Moscow, allowing them to exert Russian power in the Mediterranean, and it guarantees an economic gateway to key markets in southern Europe. Since the Crimean crisis of 2014, Russia has been working relentlessly to gain full control over the Black Sea. The objective behind this war is not only to dominate the Black Sea but also to create a land bridge to link Russia with Crimea. By cutting off Ukrainian access to the Black Sea, Russia hopes to render Ukraine a landlocked country, which would severely hamper their trade logistics.
Previous Year Question in UPSC Civil Services Examination
In the 2019 examination, one of the questions was:
“Consider the following pairs: Sea Bordering Country
1. Adriatic Sea – Albania
2. Black Sea – Croatia
3. Caspian Sea – Kazakhstan
4. Mediterranean Sea – Morocco
5. Red Sea – Syria
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Possible answers were:
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
The correct answer was option (b). Explanation: The Adriatic Sea is bordered by countries of the Balkan Peninsula, including Albania. The Black Sea does not border Croatia. The Caspian Sea is surrounded by five countries, including Kazakhstan. The Mediterranean Sea borders 21 countries, including Morocco, and the Red Sea is surrounded by six countries, none of which are Syria.”