Lithuania calls on Russia to repeat "goodwill gesture" and leave Ukraine on anniversary of Zmiinyi liberation

The Permanent Mission of Lithuania to the OSCE on the anniversary of the liberation of Zmiinyi Island from invaders, calling on Russia to repeat the "goodwill gesture" and withdraw its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine.

The relevant statement was made by the Mission on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

"On the occassion of the 1st Anniversary of Liberation of Snake Island by Defenders of Ukraine, we call on Russia to move to the next level of its ‘good will gesture’ playbook and to get out from the entire territory of Ukraine. Now!", the statement reads.

As reported, Russian troops seized Zmiinyi Island on the first day of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24. It was reported that after the shelling of Zmiinyi by Russian ships and aircraft, the island's infrastructure was destroyed and communication with border guards was lost.

On February 28, the Ukrainian Navy reported that the marines and border guards who had been taken prisoner on Zmiinyi Island were alive and had been returned from captivity in November.

On June 30, the Ukrainian military completely liberated Zmeinyi. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the escape of its military, calling it a " goodwill gesture."