July 8th 2023.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky made a bold statement on the 500th day of Vladimir Putin’s war against his country, by visiting the strategic Black Sea outcrop, Snake Island. This island was the scene of one of Ukraine’s first major victories during the Russian invasion.
The Ukrainian defenders on the island confronted a Russian warship demanding surrender or death, and their response made headlines around the world. In a defiant spirit, they said ‘Go f**k yourself’, and this phrase became a national slogan. It was even depicted on billboards, t-shirts, and a postage stamp, showing a Ukrainian guard standing on the outcrop, giving the flagship the finger.
The same day the stamp was released, Ukrainian missiles struck the Moskva, the biggest warship sunk in combat in 40 years. Russia was forced to abandon Snake Island on June 30, after taking heavy losses trying to defend it. During his visit, President Zelensky was accompanied by his military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, who has been reported dead or fatally wounded several times in the Russian state media.
President Zelensky paid tribute to the defenders of Snake Island, and vowed that ‘we will win’. He expressed his gratitude to all the Ukrainian heroes and warriors, and said that this small piece of land in the middle of the Black Sea is a great proof that Ukraine will return to itself every part of its territory.
Zelensky’s visit to the frontline was a stark contrast to Putin, who rarely goes near danger zones. This provoked the ire of Russian hardline war analyst Sergei Mardan, who questioned how the visit could take place without an attack from the Kremlin. Mardan questioned how Zelensky ‘freely comes to the frontline zone, without fear for his life’. Nevertheless, President Zelensky’s visit to Snake Island was a powerful reminder that Ukraine will not give up without a fight.
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