Russia said Thursday it had pulled its forces from the Snake Island, calling it a "goodwill gesture" to allow Kyiv to export agricultural products, AFP reported.

"On June 30, as a gesture of goodwill, the Russian armed forces completed their tasks on Snake Island and withdrew a garrison stationed there," the defense ministry said in a statement.

The announcement came after Ukraine had launched several raids on Russians forces on the Black Sea island.

The Russian defense ministry said the withdrawal was aimed at demonstrating to the world that "Russia is not impeding UN efforts to organize a humanitarian corridor to ship agricultural products from Ukraine".

Moscow added that the "ball is now in Ukraine's court", accusing the pro-Western country of having still not denied its Black Sea coast.