The Snake Island border guards had received widespread admiration for their bravery
The Ukrainian sailors who told a Russian warship to “go f**k yourself” are alive, the navy has confirmed.
Initial reports suggested the 13 border guards had died after refusing to surrender Snake Island when they were confronted by Russian air and sea forces on Thursday February 24.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CaZmZF0AIFc/
This prompted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to say he would be awarding all of the sailors the Hero of Ukraine award.
However, it has now been confirmed by the Ukrainian navy, that the border guards are still alive and were in fact taken prisoner by Russia.
BREAKING:
It’s official – 🇺🇦 Snake Island sailors are alive, Navy confirms.
They were taken prisoner by Russia.— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) February 28, 2022
In a post on Facebook confirming the news, the Ukrainian navy said it was “very happy to learn that our brothers are alive and well with them”. The post went on to praise the sailors for “bravely” in twice rebuking “attacks of the Russian invaders.”
https://www.facebook.com/100064727737034/posts/324444389723150/?d=n
On Sunday it emerged that the border guards could still be alive.
The State Border Guard Service posted a statement on Facebook saying they had a “strong belief” that the border guards were still alive.
It added: “After receiving information about their possible location, the [border guard service] together with the Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducting work on identifying our soldiers.”
Related links:
- Ukrainian brewery is now making beer that’s easy to turn into Molotov cocktails
- Ukraine border guards who told Russian warship ‘go f*** yourself’ might be alive
- Astonishing video shows hundreds of Ukrainians force Russian tanks to stop by walking at them
