Snake Island.Photo: Wikimedia
As Russia’s siege on Ukrainespreads across the country, one Ukrainian soldier defending a small island in the Black Sea reportedly took a stand against his invaders.
Snake Island, also known as Zmiinyi Island, was among the reported targets in the period since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine earlier this week, with forces moving from the north, east and south, according to the Ukraine government.
Ukrainian soldiers were occupying the island, which is located about 20 miles off shore, when a Russian ship approached and a Russian officer offered a stern warning, according tounverified audio.
“This is a Russian military warship,” he said in the clip, perCNN. “I suggest you lay down your weapons and surrender to avoid bloodshed and needless casualties. Otherwise, you will be bombed.”
There was a brief exchange before one Ukrainian soldierallegedly said, “Russian warship, go f— yourself.”
All 13 Ukrainians were killed in Thursday’s attack on the island, according to Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy.
“All border guards died heroically but did not give up,” said Zelenskyy, 44. “They will be awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine posthumously.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.Ukrainian Presidency / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty
According to Zelenskyy, preliminary data has shown that 137 Ukrainians, including 10 officers,had diedfollowing Russia’s invasion. Additionally, 316 were said to have been wounded.
Ukrainians are receiving support from around the world, including in Russia, where protesters took to the streets to argue against the country’s invasion.Nearly 1,850 people were detainedacross 60 Russian cities, including over 1,000 people in Moscow alone, according to OVD Info, a civil rights group that monitors rallies and arrests in Russia.
A protest in Saint Petersburg against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.SERGEI MIKHAILICHENKO/AFP via Getty
Numerous current and former world leaders have condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine, some of which have announced additional sanctions against the country’s elite and other consequences in response to its aggression.
In a speech from the White House on Thursday, PresidentJoe Bidencalled Russia’s move a “premeditated attack” against Ukraine that came “without provocation, without justification, [and] without necessity.”
“[Vladimir] Putin’s actions betray [a] sinister vision for the future of our world,” said Biden, 79. He later argued that the Russian President “wants to in fact re-establish the former Soviet Union.”
“That’s what this is about,” Biden continued. “I think [Putin’s] ambitions are completely contrary to the place where the rest of the world has arrived.”
source: people.com
