KYIV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 25: A Ukrainian police officer stands in front of a damaged residential block hit by an early morning missile strike on February 25, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Yesterday, Russia began a large-scale attack on Ukraine, with Russian troops invading the country from the north, east and south, accompanied by air strikes and shelling. The Ukrainian president said that at least 137 Ukrainian soldiers were killed by the end of the first day. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
A Russian officer threatened an impending bombing on Snake Island, a small island in the Black Sea. A Ukrainian soldier had a final message.
“This is a military warship,” the Russian officer said in an audio clip. “This is a Russian military warship. I suggest you lay down your weapons and surrender to avoid bloodshed and needless casualties. Otherwise, you will be bombed.”
“Russian warship, go f— yourself,” the Ukrainian soldier responded in the final words recorded from the island.
All 13 of the Ukrainian soldiers stationed on Snake Island were killed after refusing to surrender.
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“After . . . shelling by the occupiers’ naval weapons and combat aircraft, the infrastructure on the island was destroyed. According to available information, Zmiiny Island [Snake Island] has been captured,” the State Border Guard Service said in a statement. “The enemy today repeatedly tried in vain to intimidate Ukrainian defenders on the island with demands to surrender. The border guards and [armed forces] bravely held the defense.”
The tiny island, due to its’ proximity to Romania and location at the edge of Ukraine’s territorial waters, had been an important part of Ukraine’s maritime strategy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Thursday night that the soldiers would be posthumously honored with the title “Hero of Ukraine,” which is the highest Ukrainian military honor that can be awarded.
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