The Ukrainian navy confirmed Monday that the soldiers guarding Snake Island are “alive and well.”
The navy said on Facebook that the soldiers defending Snake Island in the Black Sea, also known as Zmiinyi Island, are alive and in Russian custody.
Snake Island is a small island that is strategically vital for Ukraine’s territorial seas defence and is one of the country’s southernmost communities.
According to the Facebook post, Russia destroyed the island’s infrastructure, including lighthouses, towers, and antennae, and seized a civilian ship.
“We are very happy to learn that our brothers are alive and well,” the post said.
As a result, communication with the island was cut off.
“Repeated attempts to contact the staff and find out their fate have been in vain. And the constant shelling by warships and aircraft of the Russian Federation has prevented us from delivering aid to the marines.”
“Go f*** yourself,” a Ukrainian soldier urged a Russian vessel that came to strike them last week in a show of defiance.
A group of Ukrainian border guards were stationed on Snake Island, in the Black Sea south of Odessa, when a Russian warship ordered them to surrender under threat of attack.
Their response: “Russian warship, go fuck yourself.”
They held their ground. All 13 were killed. pic.twitter.com/GMRsXQRSX0
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) February 25, 2022
Last Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that all of the island’s defenders had been killed.
(With inputs from agencies)
