‘Put down the arms immediately to avoid bloodshed and unjustified deaths’
After being told to surrender by a Russian warship, 13 Ukranian border guards responded with, “Russian warship, go f**k yourself.”
13 guards stationed on Zmiinyi Island, often referred to as Snake Island, were killed after refusing to abandon their posts.
Two vessels approached the island on Thursday following Putin’s declaration of invasion earlier that day. The soldiers were told to surrender or “be hit with a bomb strike” from a Russian warship, to which their leader replied, “Russian warship, go f*** yourself.”
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Audio recordings of the incident were obtained by Ukrainian news outlet Ukrayinska Pravda, which were then confirmed as authentic by Ukraine’s interior ministry.
“I am Russian warship, repeat I am Russian warship,” the vessel announced as it approached Snake Island. “Proposing to put down the arms immediately to avoid bloodshed and unjustified deaths.
“In worst case, you will be hit with a bomb strike. I am repeating…”
In a translation from CNN, two Ukrainian guards question, “should I tell them to go f*** themselves?” Moments later, one responds with exactly that.
.@ZelenskyyUa's tv address to the Russian (!) people might be the most moving speech that I've ever seen in my entire life. The whole world needs to see, understand and share this crucial Ukrainian message.#StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Україна #Russia #Россия pic.twitter.com/WoMOgqXTWX
— Patrick Moelleken 🇺🇦 (@PMoelleken) February 24, 2022
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commended the “heroes” in his video message posted on February 25. Zelenskyy also confirmed that 137 people had lost their lives during the first 24-hours of Russia’s invasion.
“May the memory of those who gave their lives for Ukraine live forever,” he said.
Related links:
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- Zenit drop Ukrainian defender Yaroslav Rakitskiy for speaking out against Russian invasion
