Ukraine's State Border Guard Service claims Zmiinyi island defenders 'may be alive'

Amid intensified tensions in Ukraine, 13 Ukrainian border guards believed to have died while defending a small Black Sea island might be alive. State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGSU) in a Facebook post informed that y have a "strong belief" that Ukrainian defenders of Zmiinyi (Snake Island) are alive. After Russia launched a military operation against Ukraine, Ukrainian border guards refused to surrender to Russian forces and abused warships.

State Border Guard Service of Ukraine stated that y have received hope that all defenders of Zmiinyi island are alive. State Border Guard Force informed that y have received information about possible location of border guards and ded that State Border Guard Service is working to identify troops. Furrmore, Ukraine Border Guard Service expressed hope that soldiers will return home as early as possible and information y h received at time of attack has not been confirmed. 

" SBGSU and Armed Forces, like whole of Ukraine, have received hope that all of Zmiiny's defenders are alive,  State Border Guard Service of Ukraine said in a Facebook post.

"Currently, after receiving information about ir probable location, SBGS toger with Armed Forces is working to identify our soldiers, which is common in open networks," SBGSU ded.

Border guards may be alive: SBGSU

news about border guards being alive comes after initial reports h mentioned that 13 border guards h died after y refused to surrender Snake Island, New York Post reported. State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in a Facebook post on 24 February informed that Zmiiniy Island was attacked by Russian ships and Russian soldiers fired on island from ship's artillery. Furrmore, y h stated that border guards and armed forces continue to defend nation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday, 24 February, informed that all 13 border guards would be given a posthumous Hero of Ukraine medal for “heroically” defending nation.

Russia-Ukraine War

tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue for fourth consecutive day after Russian forces at once moved across Ukrainian border. Russian President Vlimir Putin on 24 February announced a military operation in Eastern Ukraine's Donbas region. Ukraine Health Minister Viktor Lyashko on Saturday, 26 February, said that at least 198 people have been killed, which includes three children, according to AP. Furrmore, Viktor Lyashko said that 1,115 people, including 33 children have been injured in military offensive. State Border Guard Service of Ukraine has informed that  border guards and National Guard engaged in a fight with  reconnaissance group in Sumy region. As per AP report, Russia has started targeting airfields and fuel facilities in Ukraine. 

Inputs from AP

Image: AP/Twitter/MFA_Ukraine/Representative