Snake Island’s Ukrainian sailors, who told a Russian warship to screw itself before their capture, have been released in a prisoner swap with Moscow.
The 19 sailors were released from Russian captivity on Thursday, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshuk said.
In return, Ukraine freed 11 Russian civilian seamen they rescued from a sunken ship near Odessa, Vereshuk said. It was not immediately clear when the Russian sailors were captured.
The Ukrainian sailors were captured early in the invasion while defending Snake Island in the Black Sea. STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images
“As a result of this exchange, 19 Ukrainian civilian seamen are returning home from the rescue ship Sapphire, which was hijacked by the occupying forces while trying to take our troops from Snake Island,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
The Ukrainian sailors were captured early in the invasion while defending Snake Island in the Black Sea.
They were initially presumed dead after defiantly refusing to surrender when a Russian warship approached and ordered them to “lay down their arms… to avoid bloodshed and unnecessary deaths.” Otherwise you will be bombed.”
Snake Island can be seen on a satellite image before it is attacked. Satellite Image (c) 2022 Maxar Technologies
Moments later, the Ukrainians replied: “Russian warship, get ready for yourself.”
The tone of the Ukrainians’ bold exchange quickly went viral.
Days later, it emerged that Snake Island’s defenders had survived the attack – but had been captured after running out of ammunition.
Russian forces have launched a week-long invasion of Ukraine.
Before they were considered survivors, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised to bestow the country’s highest honor on the allegedly dead border guards.