Ukraine's State Border Guard has confirmed that the soldiers who told a Russian warship to "go f*** yourself" may still be alive.
The 13 Snake Island border guards made headlines last week for their bold show of resistance when they refused to surrender the island to invading troops.
Initial reports said that all 13 guards subsequently died after resisting Russian air and sea bombardment last Thursday. Even the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, said the soldiers "died heroically". However, according to The Guardian, there is now still some hope that they may be alive.
The border guards were stationed on Snake Island, an important territorial posting in the black sea which sits 186 miles west of Crimea. Russian troops took control of the island last week - but not before being faced with a defiant cry from the guards when they were asked to surrender
BBC News reports that the guards were asked to "lay down their weapons" in audio clips.
"I propose you lay down your weapons and surrender to avoid bloodshed and unnecessary victims. Otherwise, you will be bombed," the warship ordered them.
On the same recording, the guards can then be heard refusing, instead, saying: "Russian warship, go f*** yourself!"
In an address last week, Ukrainian president Zelensky confirmed that all 13 soldiers had subsequently died, adding that they would all posthumously receive the Hero of Ukraine award.
"All border guards died heroically but did not give up," Zelensky said.
However, a recent Facebook post from Ukraine's State Border Guard suggests Zelensky's words may have been a little premature.
In a translation by The Guardian, the State Border Guard Service wrote: "We [have a] strong belief that all Ukrainian defenders of Zmiinyi (Snake) Island may be alive.
"After receiving information about their possible location, the [border guard service] together with the Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducting work on identifying our soldiers."
It went on to explain that preliminary information that the border guards may be dead came before the men had lost contact, adding: "We sincerely hope that the boys will return home as soon as possible."
"Glory to Ukrainian defenders!" the post concluded.
