Audio of a gaggle of Ukrainian border guards on Snake Island refusing to give up and telling a Russian warship to "go f*** your self" has gone viral.

All 13 Ukrainian defenders, posted on the island in southern Ukraine, have been killed by Russian navy forces shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced a "particular navy operation" in Ukraine on Thursday, Ukrainian officers confirmed.

Russian armed forces had demanded that they give up and have been livestreaming when the incident unfolded.

"This can be a Russian navy ship," the Russians mentioned twice. "I recommend you lay down your weapons and give up to keep away from bloodshed and useless casualties. In any other case, we'll open hearth on you. Do you copy?"

"That is it," one Ukrainian soldier mentioned. "Ought to I inform him to go f*** himself?"

"Russian navy ship , go f*** your self," one of many troopers responded, earlier than the audio minimize.

The 13 troopers killed within the incident will every be awarded the Hero of Ukraine medal posthumously, in accordance with Ukrainian President President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"All of the border guard guards died heroically defending our Snake Island. They did not give in," he mentioned on Thursday night, Ukrainian outlet Pravda reported. "Every of them will probably be be awarded the Hero of Ukraine medal posthumously."

Zelenskyy added: "Might the reminiscence of those that gave their lives for Ukraine dwell perpetually."

The small island is also referred to as Zmiinyi Island, is positioned some 30 miles (48 kilometers) off the southern tip of the Ukrainian mainland. It's of strategic significance because of its location close to Romanian territory within the northwestern Black Sea.

The placement was chosen by Zelenskyy in August 2021 for a press occasion within the lead-up to the Crimea Platform summit in Ukraine's capital Kyiv, in accordance with the Atlantic Council.

"This island, like the remainder of our territory, is Ukrainian land, and we'll defend it with all our may," Zelenskyy mentioned of the tiny island in a August 2021 interview.

In a televised tackle to the nation on Thursday, Zelenskyy mentioned 137 civilians and navy personnel had been killed up to now since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"They're killing individuals and turning peaceable cities into navy targets. It is foul and can by no means be forgiven," he mentioned. "Let those that gave their lives for Ukraine be remembered perpetually."

Ukraine's armed forces have been "brilliantly defending the nation in opposition to one of the vital highly effective nations on this planet," Zelenskyy added.

In the meantime, Ukrainian Protection Minister Hanna Malyar has mentioned that at the very least 800 Russian personnel had been killed up to now.

Seven Russian plane items, six helicopters, greater than 30 tanks and 130 armored automobiles have been taken down, mentioned the minister of protection.

For dwell updates on Ukraine-Russia, observe Newsweek'sdwell weblog.

Russia Ukraine conflict
A professional-Ukraine demonstrator waves a Ukrainian flag throughout an illustration in entrance the Russian embassy in Berlin on February 22, 2022, following Russia's recognition of jap Ukrainian separatists. All 13 troopers stationed on Ukraine's Snake Island have been killed in a Russian navy assault on Thursday. JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Pictures

Replace 2/25/22, 3:30 a.m. ET: This text has been up to date with further data.