What a story.
In a miraculous turn of events, the thirteen Ukrainian border guards who told a Russian warship "go f**k yourself" have been confirmed to be alive.
The Ukrainian Navy confirmed the news on Monday (28 February).
https://twitter.com/IAPonomarenko/status/1498266613002424325?s=20&t=AKFMdiwEbMLwg9KmXbd1_g
Rumours of the guards' safety first arrived on Sunday (27 February), when the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine updated people via Facebook shared that the soldiers may be alive.
"The SBGSU and the Armed Forces, like the whole of Ukraine, have received hope that all of Zmiiny's defenders are alive," the Guard Service wrote.
"Russian media reported that Ukrainian servicemen on the island, who were temporarily occupied by Russia in Sevastopol, had been sent to Sevastopol.
"Preliminary information that border guards may be dead came before the defenders lost contact," they added.
Russia's Ministry of Defence said that 82 Ukrainian soldiers had surrendered to them voluntarily. They did not mention anything regarding violence or the previously reported air assault.
"In the area of the Snake Island, 82 Ukrainian servicemen laid down their weapons and voluntarily surrendered to the Russian Armed Forces," said Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov on Friday (25 February).
"Currently, they are signing written vows to reject military resistance.
"They will be returned to their families shortly.
"Once the situation in the combat area is stabilized, all surrendered Ukrainian servicemen will be let go home," Konashenkov added.
Audio from the initial confrontation went viral, with many people commending the soldiers for their word choice and resilience in the face of danger.
"I am a Russian warship," a voice says. "I ask you to lay down your arms and surrender to avoid bloodshed and unnecessary deaths. Otherwise, you will be bombed."
In response, two Ukrainian border guards can be heard conversing with one another as the severity of the situation sets in.
"This is it," a voice says.
"Should I tell him to go fuck himself?"
At this moment, the volume is turned up and the guard states:
"Russian warship – go fuck yourself."
