Snake Island soldiers who told Russians to ‘go f** themselves’ may be ALIVE after fears they’d been wiped out by missile

UKRAINIAN soldiers thought to have been killed after telling Russians to “go f**k yourselves” may still be alive, it was reported. The 13 defiant border guards had been tasked with protecting Zmiinyi or Snake – Island in the Black Sea from Russian invaders. East2WestFootage showed what was thought to be the final moments of border guards[/caption] East2WestThe Ukrainian soldiers told the Russian warship to ‘f**k off’[/caption] The heroism of the border guards caught the world’s imagination with many moved their bravery in the face of death. But in a new twist in the extraordinary story, it’s now emerged the border guards may in fact still be alive. In a statement posted on Facebook, the State Border Guard of Ukraine said they have a “strong belief that all Ukrainian defenders of Zmiinyi Island may be alive”. The force explained that information about the troops being killed came before the men lost contact. Latest in Ukraine… Ukrainian soldiers fought off a blitz from Russian forces to hold a crucial road junction five miles west of Kyiv city centre Missiles rained down on the country in the fourth night of warTerrifying thermobaric rocket launchers capable of ‘exploding’ enemy’s lungs ‘seen heading towards Ukraine’‘Hundreds’ Russian soldiers have been captured, a Ukrainian MP has claimed.Ukrainians have been making Molotov cocktails in preparation for a last stand against the Russians.A missile slammed into the side of an apartment building, killing two people in KyivUkraine’s President  Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused a US offer to evacuate the Kyiv and vowed to stay and fightA Russian cargo ship was seized in the English Channel for ‘violating EU sanctions’Western allies agreed to boot Russian banks out of the Swift systemRoman Abramovich gave up control of Chelsea football club The Ukrainian forces are currently trying to locate their colleagues. The drama unfolded when the border guards received a message saying: “This is Russian military warship. “I suggest you lay down your weapons and surrender to avoid bloodshed and needless casualties. Otherwise, you will be bombed.” But the Ukrainian troops defiantly refused to give up the territory, and replied: “Go f**k yourselves!” The Russians were reportedly heard swearing back at it was thought all thirteen were then massacred in an aerial bombardment. Most read in News ALL OUT WAR Ukrainian troops destroy Russian tanks killing top general in failed siege DAMAGED DUKE Prince Andrew is 'broken' after '£12m settlement' over rape claims, pal says HEROES Hero Ukrainian soldiers fight off Russian special forces to hold vital road junction HACK ATTACK Kremlin websites go DOWN as 'hackers broadcast Ukrainian songs' over invasion ON THE WARPATH Putin's NATO warning as other countries could face 'military consequences' DEATH MACHINES Putin's terrifying rockets that 'explode' enemy's lungs 'heading to Ukraine' A chilling video revealed the final moments of the soldiers before they were killed in a hail of missiles from the Russian warship. A guard can be heard saying: “They try to scare us, or what? So far nothing is destroyed. “I cannot understand what they’re doing, most likely trying to scare us. They strike the rocks.” The deaths were reportedly later acknowledged by Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. And Ukraine’s interior ministry confirmed Snake Island – which is also called Zmiinyi – had been attacked by Russian forces. In the aftermath, Russia claimed today the men were not killed in the ambush. Pictures released by the Russians show what they say are Ukrainians from who had been defending Snake Island in captivity. Around dozen photos released by show the men boarding buses, being given bottled water and a food parcel, before being shown sitting in their seats.  Russia have even said that men will be released an be allowed to return to their families.  It’s not known if those shown in the pictures are indeed the 13 who may still be alive. Snake Island is ruled by Ukraine, but it sits just miles from the coast of Romania. The tiny island is strategically important as its fall will allow Russia to claim territorial waters stretching 12 nautical miles out to sea. Russia would be able to cut off key shipping channels – isolating Ukraine from international markets and starving its economy of trade revenues. AlamyThe Russians have released images of Ukrainian border guards in captivity[/caption] East2WestSnake Island in the Black Sea is strategically located[/caption]