Ukraine Destroys Russian Command Post On Snake Island

Ukraine destroyed a Russian command post on Snake Island on Tuesday, 26 April, according to commanders. 

A Russian anti-aircraft missile system was also hit during the strike, which was detailed in a post by Ukraine’s Operation Command South.

Commanders from Ukraine’s southern force said Russian forces situated in the region have now been ‘reduced’ although official casualty figures have not been released, MailOnline reports.

The news comes almost a month after the Ukrainian soldier who told Russian forces threatening to bomb Snake Island to ‘go f**k themselves’ was awarded a medal for his services. 

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In February, Roman Hrybov, a border guard on Snake Island, bravely stood up to Russian soldiers when they approached the island and told guards to surrender.

Recordings of the radio exchange went viral and were verified by Ukrainian officials shortly after.

Upon their approach, Russian military aboard the now-sunken battleship ​​Moskva warned: "This is a military warship. This is a Russian military warship.

"I suggest you lay down your weapons and surrender to avoid bloodshed and needless casualties. Otherwise, you will be bombed."

Hrybov responded: “Russian warship, go f**k yourself.”

Russia agreed to exchange 19 of the servicemen captured on the island for 11 Russian soldiers who had been rescued from a sunken ship near Odessa.

Presented with the 'Merits To Cherkasy Region' award by the region’s governor Igor Taburets, Hrybov said: “I want to say a big thank you to the Ukrainian people for such support. We strongly feel this support, it inspires us."

Taburets told Hrybov: "I think that Ukraine should really know its heroes and Cherkasy should know its heroes.

"The most important thing is that he survived, in spite of moral pressure, in spite of everything, and he will be an example for our Ukrainians and the people of Cherkasy."

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Earlier in April, Moskva, one of Russia's most prized warships, sank in the Black Sea following an explosion.

State-owned news agency Tass said: "As a result of a fire on the Moskva missile cruiser, ammunition detonated.

"The source of the blaze on the Moskva has been contained. The explosions of ammunition have stopped."

Ukraine took responsibility and said the ship’s demise was the result of a missile strike from their side.

According to Sky News, Odesa's governor Maksim Marchenko wrote on Telegram at the time: "It has been confirmed that the missile cruiser Moscow today went exactly where it was sent by our border guards on Snake Island!

"Neptune missiles guarding the Black Sea caused very serious damage to the Russian ship. Glory to Ukraine!"

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