Snake Island, a strategic outpost in the Black Sea, has been dominating headlines for the past few days as Russian forces deserted their position after months of heavy shelling. A major moment on Monday saw Ukrainian forces raising their country’s flag on the island after a long time.

“The military operation has been concluded, and … the territory, Snake Island, has been returned to the jurisdiction of Ukraine,” Natalia Humeniuk, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s southern military command, told reporters according to The Guardian.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fight-on-putin-tells-russian-troops-after-capture-of-luhansk-494427">Fight on, Vladimir Putin tells Russian troops after capture of Luhansk</a>

While the Russian troops have completely deserted the island, the area near the Black Sea is still being considered as a “grey zone” by the Ukrainian authorities. A military official confirmed it to The Guardian that they will not be positioning a major number of forces in the area.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also said that the area’s safety is not guaranteed by the pull back of the Russian forces. However, he hailed it as a step forward in the ongoing crisis.

&nbsp;“Step by step, we will push [Russia] out of our sea, our land, our sky,” Zelensky said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/al-jazeera-journalist-was-likely-killed-by-israel-fire-but-not-intentionally-494447">Al Jazeera journalist likely killed by Israel fire but not intentionally: US</a>

Ukraine has also accused Russia of using phosphorus bombs on the area. “Today at around 18:00... Russian air force SU-30 planes twice conducted strikes with phosphorus bombs on Zmiinyi island,” the Ukrainian forces said according to AFP.

Phosphorus bombs are incendiary weapons which leave a distinct white trail after it is used, and it is banned under an international convention (although with the exception of some military targets).

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Snake Island, a strategic outpost in the Black Sea, has been dominating headlines for the past few days as Russian forces deserted their position after months of heavy shelling.

Snake Island, a strategic outpost in the Black Sea, has been dominating headlines for the past few days as Russian forces deserted their position after months of heavy shelling. A major moment on Monday saw Ukrainian forces raising their country’s flag on the island after a long time. “The military operation has been concluded, and … the territory, Snake Island, has been returned to the jurisdiction of Ukraine,” Natalia Humeniuk, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s southern military command, told reporters according to The Guardian. Also read | Fight on, Vladimir Putin tells Russian troops after capture of Luhansk While the Russian troops have completely deserted the island, the area near the Black Sea is still being considered as a “grey zone” by the Ukrainian authorities. A military official confirmed it to The Guardian that they will not be positioning a major number of forces in the area. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also said that the area’s safety is not guaranteed by the pull back of the Russian forces. However, he hailed it as a step forward in the ongoing crisis. “Step by step, we will push [Russia] out of our sea, our land, our sky,” Zelensky said. Also read | Al Jazeera journalist likely killed by Israel fire but not intentionally: US Ukraine has also accused Russia of using phosphorus bombs on the area. “Today at around 18:00... Russian air force SU-30 planes twice conducted strikes with phosphorus bombs on Zmiinyi island,” the Ukrainian forces said according to AFP. Phosphorus bombs are incendiary weapons which leave a distinct white trail after it is used, and it is banned under an international convention (although with the exception of some military targets). WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukrainian military raises national flag in Snake Island after Russian retreat

Eiffel Tower in Paris lights up in Ukrainian flag’s colour to show support amid the ongoing Russian invasion.

Eiffel Tower in Ukrainian flag’s color to show support | Paris | Russia-Ukraine

Pope Francis on Wednesday condemned Bucha killing&nbsp;and held up a Ukrainian flag sent to him from the town where tied bodies shot at close range, a mass grave and other signs of executions were found.

"Recent news from the war in Ukraine, instead of bringing relief and hope, brought new atrocities, such as the massacre of Bucha," he said at the end of his weekly audience in the Vatican's auditorium.

"Cruelty that is increasingly horrendous, even against civilians, defenceless women and children. They are victims whose innocent blood cries out up to heaven and implores: 'Stop this war! Let the weapons fall silent! Stop sowing death and destruction'," he said.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Western allegations Russian forces committed war crimes by executing civilians in Bucha were a "monstrous forgery" aimed at denigrating the Russian army.

"Yesterday, precisely from Bucha, they brought me this flag," he said, unfolding it and holding it up for the audience of several thousand, which broke into applause. The flag looked darkened and stained and had writing on it.

"It comes from the war, precisely from that martyred city, Bucha," he said, before asking a group of children war refugees who arrived on Tuesday from Ukraine to come up to him.

"These children had to flee in order to arrive in a safe land. This is the fruit of war. Let's not forget them and let's not forget the Ukrainian people," he said, before giving each child a gift of a chocolate Easter egg.

WATCH |&nbsp;'How can UNSC act with Russia in it?' Asks President Zelensky

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Pope Francis on Wednesday condemned Bucha killing and held up a Ukrainian flag sent to him from the town where tied bodies shot at close range, a mass grave and other signs of executions were found.

Pope Francis on Wednesday condemned Bucha killing and held up a Ukrainian flag sent to him from the town where tied bodies shot at close range, a mass grave and other signs of executions were found. "Recent news from the war in Ukraine, instead of bringing relief and hope, brought new atrocities, such as the massacre of Bucha," he said at the end of his weekly audience in the Vatican's auditorium. "Cruelty that is increasingly horrendous, even against civilians, defenceless women and children. They are victims whose innocent blood cries out up to heaven and implores: 'Stop this war! Let the weapons fall silent! Stop sowing death and destruction'," he said. The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Western allegations Russian forces committed war crimes by executing civilians in Bucha were a "monstrous forgery" aimed at denigrating the Russian army. "Yesterday, precisely from Bucha, they brought me this flag," he said, unfolding it and holding it up for the audience of several thousand, which broke into applause. The flag looked darkened and stained and had writing on it. "It comes from the war, precisely from that martyred city, Bucha," he said, before asking a group of children war refugees who arrived on Tuesday from Ukraine to come up to him. "These children had to flee in order to arrive in a safe land. This is the fruit of war. Let's not forget them and let's not forget the Ukrainian people," he said, before giving each child a gift of a chocolate Easter egg. WATCH | 'How can UNSC act with Russia in it?' Asks President Zelensky ×

Russia-Ukraine war: Pope, holding Ukrainian flag, condemns Bucha killing

The largest Ukrainian flag in America was raised in Chicago as people are joining anti-war protests around the world. Ukrainian-Americans were seen in Illinois as the flag was raised. The flag was also raised to draw more support from the US and to call on NATO to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

Amidst Russian invasion & anti-war protests, largest Ukrainian flag in America raised in Chicago

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Ukrainian military raises national flag in Snake Island after Russian retreat

Eiffel Tower in Ukrainian flag’s color to show support | Paris | Russia-Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine war: Pope, holding Ukrainian flag, condemns Bucha killing

Amidst Russian invasion & anti-war protests, largest Ukrainian flag in America raised in Chicago