Russia-Ukraine crisis live updates | After forced exit from Snake Island, Russia keeps up eastern assault

Here are the latest developments from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict on

Russian forces withdrew from a strategic Black Sea island Thursday, potentially easing the threat to the vital Ukrainian port city of Odesa, but kept up their push to encircle the last stronghold of resistance in the eastern province of Luhansk.

The Kremlin portrayed the pullout from Snake Island as a “goodwill gesture.” But Ukraine’s military claimed it forced the Russians to flee in two small speedboats following a barrage of Ukrainian artillery and missile strikes. The exact number of troops was not disclosed.

“Unable to withstand the impact of our artillery, missile and aviation units, the Russian occupiers have left Snake Island. The Odesa region is completely liberated,” the Ukrainian military said in its regular social media update Thursday evening.

Data | India’s imports from Russia soar amid sanctions

In his nightly address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky credited Ukrainian forces for pushing Russia out of Snake Island, but signaled difficulties in the Donbas region.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin called a “special military operation” to rid the country of far-right nationalists and ensure Russian security.

Here are the latest updates: