Thirteen Ukrainian soldiers guarding the Snake Island (Zmiinyi Island) in the Black Sea, who refused to lay down arms and asked the Russian warship to "go fuck yourself" instead, are reportedly alive and have been taken prisoners.
“Reports that Ukrainian troops on Snake Island who told Russian warship to 'go f*** yourself' are alive and were taken as prisoners," a tweet by news website Spectator Index read.
It was reported earlier that these soldiers were killed.
Ukraine had even said it will posthumously honour the border guards who were killed defending the tiny island.
In a video that was widely circulated revealed an exchange between Ukrainian border guards at the island and the Russian forces. "This is a Russian warship. I propose you lay down your weapons and surrender to avoid bloodshed and unnecessary victims. Otherwise you will be bombed,” the transcript of the audio exchange had read.
“This is a Russian warship, I repeat. I suggest you surrender your weapons and capitulate otherwise I will open fire. Do you copy?” the Russian side warned again.
To this, one of the Ukrainian soldiers said, “This is it," and asked his fellow soldier, "Should I tell him to go fuck himself?”
“Russian warship, go fuck yourself,” said the soldier, in response to the Russian warnings.
Ukraine had lost contact with its forces on the island on Thursday after Russia conducted strikes from air and sea, Kyiv said.