Snake Island border guards alive but 'taken captive' by Russia

The Ukrainian military has announced that the border guards stationed on Snake Island are alive and have been taken captive by Russian forces.

‘We are very happy to know that our brothers are alive and well,’ they said.

A defiant verbal exchange between the guards and Russian attackers released by the Ukrainian government went viral, showing the Russian captain demanding their surrender over a tannoy.

He said: ‘This is a Russian warship. I propose you lay down your weapons and surrender to avoid bloodshed and unnecessary victims.

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‘Otherwise you will be bombed.’

A male Ukrainian trooper is heard saying ‘So, this is it … Should I tell them to fuck themselves?’

A female comrade responds: ‘Well, just in case.’

The male guard is then heard using a loudspeaker to tell the invaders: ‘Russian warship, go f*** yourself.’

Following this, the guards had been presumed killed.

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However, a Ukrainian army statement posted on Facebook today said that communication with the island had been cut off so it was only now possible to establish the circumstances.

‘Repeated attempts to contact the staff and find out their fate were in vain,’ the said.

‘And the constant shelling by warships and aircraft of the Russian Federation did not allow [us] to deliver aid to the Marines.

Russia had earlier reported that the islanders were taken captive.

They released images showing soldiers they claimed had surrendered on there, saying they had been taken to Sevastopol in Crimea.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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