The Ukrainian defenders of Snake Island -- who have been all feared lifeless after their defiant response to threats from a Russian warship -- are literally "alive and effectively," in accordance with the Ukrainian Navy.
All the troopers on the tiny island within the Black Sea have been thought to have been killed in an assault on the primary day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine final Thursday.
In accordance with a purported audio change, one of many Ukrainian troops had responded to a warning from an approaching Russian vessel to put down their weapons or face bombing by saying, "Russian warship, go f*** your self."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated afterward Thursday that 13 troopers on Snake Island all died "heroically" by Russian bombardment. However -- after the Ukrainian border guard stated that it had info disputing the deaths -- an announcement on Monday from the nation's navy recommended this was actually not the case.
In accordance with the navy the troopers on the island repelled two assaults by Russian forces however in the long run have been pressured to give up "because of the lack of ammunition."
The assertion added that Russian attackers have fully destroyed the island's infrastructure, together with lighthouses, towers and antennas.
Russian state media additionally confirmed the arrival of the Ukrainian troopers in Sevastopol, Crimea the place they're being held.
Snake Island, also called Zmiinyi Island, sits about 30 miles (48 kilometres) off the southern tip of the Ukrainian mainland within the northwestern Black Sea. It is about 185 miles west of Crimea, the Ukrainian territory that Russia annexed in 2014.
Although it's only about 46 acres (18 hectares) in measurement, a report final 12 months from the non-partisan Atlantic Council suppose tank referred to as it "key to Ukraine's maritime territorial claims" within the Black Sea.
Highlighting its strategic significance, Zelensky selected Snake Island final 12 months because the spot for an interview with Ukrainian media upfront of a summit to attempt to reverse Russia's annexation of Crimea, the Atlantic Council report stated.