As Ukrainian forces battle towards Russia's invasion, the reported actions of a small group of troopers who have been answerable for guarding a tiny island within the Black Sea have despatched shockwaves the world over. As Russian forces descended on Thursday, threatening to bomb them in the event that they did not give up, 13 guards allegedly refused and as a substitute issued a powerful, "f*** you."
Moments later, they have been killed.
Audio showing to doc the encounter was posted on YouTube on Thursday by native information outlet Ukrayinska Pravda. CBS Information couldn't independently confirm the audio.
"Zmeiny Island, [speaking is] Russian ship. I recommend you lay down your arms and give up to be able to keep away from bloodshed," a voice is heard saying in Russian. "In any other case you may be bombed-hit."
The Ukrainian troopers responded merely: "Russian ship, f*** you."
Ukraine's State Border Guard Service confirmed guards had been attacked by Russian ships that fired on the island. A Russian Protection Ministry spokesman stated on Friday that Russia had taken management of the island.
"Eighty-two Ukrainian troopers in Zmiinyi Island space lay down their arms and capitulated to Russian troopers," the Russian spokesman stated, based on the Reuters information company. "Now they need to signal a press release that they refuse to take part in army actions. Quickly they are going to be returned to their households."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recommended the group of guards who have been killed throughout a late-night tackle to the nation on Thursday, as he reported that 137 folks have been killed throughout the first day of Russia's invasion.
"Defending the Zmiinyi Island, all our border guards died a heroic demise. However they haven't surrendered," Zelensky stated, including that the servicemembers killed can be posthumously honored as heroes of Ukraine.
"Let those that gave their lives for Ukraine be remembered perpetually."
Zmiinyi Island, in any other case often called Snake Island, is a tiny speck of land within the Black Sea, south of Ukraine, of lower than one-tenth of a sq. mile. Previous to the Russian assault, the Ukrainian territory was house to solely about 100 Ukrainian troopers, a lighthouse and a few sheep, based on the worldwide affairs think-tank Atlantic Council.
The assault on Snake Island occurred as Russian forces unleashed airstrikes on Ukrainian cities. On Friday morning, Ukraine's overseas minister stated explosions from "horrific Russian rocket strikes" have been heard in Kyiv.
"This can be a battle towards Europe, towards the unity of Europe, towards primary human rights in Europe," Zelensky stated on Friday, calling the assaults "just like what Europe noticed throughout World Struggle II."