World

Ukraine soldiers from Snake Island 'alive'

By AAP Newswire

Mar 1, 2022

Russian warship Admiral Essen — Ukraine's army assumed 13 soldiers were killed by Russian forces after it lost connection with them. -AP

The Ukrainian soldiers from the tiny Black Sea island of Zmiinyi or Snake Island are being held in captivity by Russia, according to the Ukrainian navy.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

"We are very happy to learn that our comrades-in-arms are alive and well," the navy said on Facebook.

The Ukrainian soldiers had surrendered after running out of ammunition, it said.

Russia destroyed the entire infrastructure of the island.

Although Russia's defence ministry had said they were captured, Ukrainian officials assumed the 13 soldiers were dead after it lost connection with the island.

However, the Russian military later shared pictures of the prisoners.

Ukrainians online circulated an unverified recording on Friday of a Russian warship ordering a Ukrainian outpost on the island to surrender.

The Ukrainians reply: "Russian warship, go f*** yourself."

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had said the 13 guards had been killed by a Russian strike and would receive posthumous honours.

with reporting from Reuters