Zelensky cited the guard’s story on Thursday while highlighting Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion, saying that 13 guards had “heroically died”. He said that he would recognize each of them with the title of champion of Ukraine.
“May the memory of those who gave their lives for Ukraine live forever,” Zelensky said.
The guards’ actions drew international attention after an audio recording of their confrontation with the Russians was published on the . website Ukrainian news outlet Ukrayinska Pravda. A Ukrainian official confirmed her health to the Washington Post on Thursday.
In the clip, a Russian voice warns the border guards of attacking them if they do not surrender.
A voice from the invaders says: “I am a Russian warship.” “I ask you to lay down your weapons and surrender to avoid needless bloodshed and death. Otherwise you will be bombarded.”
The Ukrainians responded boldly before attacking them.
“Russian warship,” the response came, “Go on your own.”
Ukrainian officials said in a Facebook Post Saturday that border guards had been attacked by Russian planes and weapons from the ship, and that Ukrainian officials had lost contact with the atoll – known as Zmeny Island in Ukraine – after infrastructure was destroyed. It now appears that the guards were supposed to have been killed.
Ukrainian officials said Saturday they are working to determine what happened to the guards, and praised them for their digging. It was not clear how many guards were on the island when the attack began, or if any were killed.
The border guards’ message to the Russians spread quickly, and many likened it to the famous crowd cries from previous wars. Major General Mick Ryan, an Australian military officer, likened them to “nuts!” In response, the then U.S. Army brigadier general said. General Anthony McAuliffe was sent to Nazi forces seeking an American surrender during the Battle of Bastogne in World War II.
“Today, none of us will ever forget what the servants of their nation did there,” Ryan wrote.
Kiev Post I mentioned Saturday The Russian ship’s message appeared on a digital road sign hanging on a Ukrainian highway.
Paul Son contributed to this report.
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