AFTER losing complete contact with the soldiers of Snake Island, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced their likely deaths.
Days later, however, the Ukrainian Navy confirmed the soldiers were "alive and well," but in Russian captivity.
What happened to Ukraine's Snake Island soldiers?
On Monday, February 28, 2022, a Facebook post from the Ukrainian Navy updated the status of the soldiers defending Snake Island, who were originally thought to be dead.
"We are very happy to learn that our brothers are alive and well," the post read.
"The Marines bravely twice repulsed the attacks of the Russian occupiers … they were unable to continue defending the island."
The post continued: "In turn, the occupiers 'forgot' to report that they had completely destroyed the island's infrastructure: lighthouses, towers, antennas, etc."
Audio from the original occupation of the island was shared following the attack.
"I am a Russian warship. I suggest you lay down your arms and surrender to avoid bloodshed and unnecessary victims, or you will be bombed," the audio began.
A Ukrainian soldier then says to another: "So that's it … Should I tell them to f**k themselves?"
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The other soldier responds: "Well, just in case."
"Warship, go f**k yourself," said the first, directly to the Russians.
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Why did Zelenskyy announce that the Snake Island soldiers died?
After Russian troops destroyed the infrastructure of Snake Island, soldiers were unable to communicate with their homeland.
The attack – which took place on February 24, 2022 – was made to seem as if the Ukrainian soldiers defending the island did not survive.
President Zelenskyy confirmed the island had been captured, announcing at the time: "All the defenders of Snake Island died, but they did not surrender."
He added the soldiers would be named "Heroes of Ukraine."
What is Snake Island?
Snake Island – also known as Serpent Island or Zmiinyi Island – is located in the Black Sea and belongs to Ukraine.
In 1842, the Snake Island Lighthouse was built by the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Empire.
During World War I, the island hosted a wireless station operated by Russia as a part of its alliance with Romania.
The Soviet Union took control of the island post-World War II.
Ukraine inherited the land once the Soviet Union fell.
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