Updated Feb 28, 2022 - World

Ukraine Navy says Snake Island border guards still alive

Dave Lawler

Ukrainian Flag — A Ukrainian flag flies in Kyiv. Photo: Genya Savilov/AFP via Getty Images

The Ukrainian border guards who were initially reported dead after refusing to surrender tiny Snake Island in the Black Sea to a Russian warship are "alive and well," Ukraine's Navy said Monday.

Driving the news: In a Facebook post, the Ukrainian Navy said that the guards "bravely" held back Russian attacks, but had to surrender "due to the lack of ammunition."

It added that Russian forces "completely destroyed the island's infrastructure," including lighthouses, towers and antennas.
Snake Island, also known as Zmiinyi Island, is 30 miles off the coast of Ukraine and less than 0.1 square miles in area.

Worth noting: Axios has not confirmed audio purportedly of the incident, which includes border guards rejecting a demand that they surrender before the warship opens fire.

Go deeper: Get the latest with the Ukraine-Russia dashboard

Editor's note: This story has been updated with the Navy's statement that the guards are "alive and well."

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Ukraine Navy says Snake Island border guards still alive

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