Map of the Snake Island

Snake Island (Romanian: Insula şerpilor, Ukrainian: ostriv Zmiyinyy) is an isle in the Black Sea, 44 km from the coast, currently claimed by both Ukraine and Romania, but administered by Ukraine and included in its Odes'ka oblast'. The nearest city on the coast is Sulina, Romania.

Snake Island has about 100 inhabitants (Ukrainian Army and frontier guard servicemen with their families). Helicopter is the only connection to the continent, but pier and harbour costructing is underway.

It was named by the Greeks Leuce Island (White Island), probably because of the white marble formations that can be found on the isle. Several temples of Thracian Apollo can be found here. Also, as the legends say, the remains of Achilles were brought to this island by Thetis, to be put in a sanctuary.

During the Cold War, a Soviet radar post was built on the isle (for both naval and anti-aircraft purposes).

Later, significant oil and gas deposits were discovered under the sea bottom nearby.

After 1991, Ukraine took control over the isle, although Romania consistently claims it should be included in her territory (since there was no treaty that said otherwise). According to the Romanian side, in the peace treaties of 1918 and 1920 (after WWI), the isle was considered part of Romania, and it was not mentioned in the 1947 frontiers changing treaty between Romania and the Soviet Union.

Due to the isle's geographic position, its possession dramatically affects the frontier line between the two countries. That is why Romanian diplomats also claim that Snake Island is not an isle/island, but a cliff (which has a pretty different role in international law).

Ukrainian authorities are now trying to demilitarize and develop the isle rapidly, mostly in an attempt to prove its island status. There are plans to establish fishing infrastructure there.

In September 2004, the Ukrainian authorities anounced that the Ukrainian bank Aval opened a branch on the Snake Island, in order to prove that it is an island and not a clif. [1] (http://www.bbc.co.uk/romanian/news/story/2004/09/040920_insula_serpilor_banca.shtml)

External links

• Latest report on Snake Island dispute (http://www.korrespondent.net/main/84164), including aerial picture of isle (Russian language)
• On Snake Island dispute (http://www.tomrad.ro/iserpi/ENGLISH.HTM)