Ukraine island defenders who told Russian navy 'go fuck yourself' may still be alive

[AntiFascist]

Source: The Guardian

Ukrainian soldiers believed to have died while defending an island after telling a Russian warship to “go fuck yourself”, may still be alive, according to Ukraine’s State Border Guard.

Initial reports said the 13 border guards had died after refusing to surrender Snake Island, which sits 186 miles (300km) west of Crimea, from a Russian air and sea bombardment on Thursday.

In his address after the first day of the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, announced he would posthumously award all the soldiers the Hero of Ukraine award. “All border guards died heroically but did not give up,” Zelenskiy said.

...

But in a recent statement posted on Facebook, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine said: “We [have a] strong belief that all Ukrainian defenders of Zmiinyi (Snake) Island may be alive.”

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/27/ukraine-island-defenders-who-told-russian-officer-go-fuck-yourself-may-still-be-alive

[lamp_shade]

1. Wouldn't you think they'd know by now whether they're alive?

[jmowreader]

2. It's slightly busy there right now

If the Russians destroyed their antenna, they wouldn't be able to call out. If they're alive, and I hope they are, they've probably been building a new antenna.

I also hope the president awards them something really high for their bravery.

[AntiFascist]

3. I think the reports are saying they were taken as prisoners of war to Crimea...

it would be interesting if the proposed 'peace talks' could involve a prisoner exchange. I wonder how many POWs Ukraine has taken?

[SunSeeker]

9. Putin trolls have been pushing a story that there were 82 on the island and they all surrendered.

But you would think it would be easy enough for Putin to show them all alive and in custody. He certainly likes showing Navalny sitting jail. And yet he has shown no pictures of the Snake Island men. I doubt he has them.

[AntiFascist]

10. Here's the State Border Guard's Facebook post...

https://www.facebook.com/100066866381279/posts/285013563737521

We understand that Russian propagandists know how to make the necessary information attacks and use them, noting that Ukrainian defenders have surrendered.

...

Currently, after receiving information about their probable location, the SBGS together with the Armed Forces is working to identify our soldiers, which is common in open networks.

We sincerely hope that the boys will return home as soon as possible, and the information received at the time of the attack on the death will not be confirmed.

Glory to Ukrainian defenders !!!

#stoprussia

[Bayard]

11. Probably none that want to go back to Russia

Especially the ones that surrendered.

[IronLionZion]

4. The Russians could just say if they captured or killed these people

but that would make too much sense

[blue-wave]

5. I hope so!!

So they can tell it to Putin's face before put the noose around his neck.

[mysteryowl]

6. That would be fantastic!

[lefthandedskyhook]

7. YEAH

so sorry for russia... NOT!

[SunSeeker]

8. If they're alive, why doesn't Russia just show video or pictures of them?

[trusty elf]

12. ...