The invasion of Ukraine was only hours ago, when the Russian flagship Moscow was known to say “fuck” by a lonely but determined Ukrainian voice on Snake Island.
Three months later, the seemingly insignificant rock outcrop in the Black Sea gained almost mythical status as a symbol of Ukrainian resistance.
But Snake Island has gained new significance in recent weeks: as a possible key to unlocking the looming global food shortage caused by Russia’s blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.
Without a working air defense system, experts say the size of Snake Island and the lack of cover make it almost unprotected.
Russia has tried to strengthen its position. However, Ukraine carried out bloody attacks on their positions, detailed in exclusive drone footage earlier this month.
Andriy Zagorodniuk, Ukraine’s former defense minister, said Russia’s rule over Snake Island “becomes less critical if we destroy everything that arrives.”
The former minister, who is now advising Vladimir Zelensky’s government, said the island is being used in conjunction with two Russian-controlled oil platforms to control and block the seagoing ship.
“We must deny them access to our territorial waters,” he added. “This is very urgent in terms of economic survival if the war drags on.”
Snake Island’s response proved that Ukraine’s air presence remains effective, despite speculation that Russia will have full control of the skies over the country within days of its invasion.
The Ukrainian military has deployed Turkish Bayraktar drones to strike supply ships, while its air force has used fighter jets to inflict serious damage on Russian positions.
Footage released by Ukraine’s armed forces on May 8 shows a drone strike that shot down a Russian helicopter hovering over the island.
Two days earlier, another video showed Russia’s short-range missile system and patrol ship obliterated.
Videos of Ukrainian fighter jets destroying Russians are also a powerful tool in the information war.
Exquisite videos of battlefield victories with accompanying music, released quickly by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, have helped boost morale and inspire pride.
Russian missile cruiser Moscow (pictured on patrol in 2015) Credit: AFP / Max DELANY / Getty
Videos of helpless Russians bombarded by heroic Ukrainians have become the hallmarks of Ukraine’s military operations.
And it all started, perhaps, on Snake Island.
With the end of the first day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Moscow’s naval flagship landed on the shores of Snake Island.
In the face of death, a brave Ukrainian border guard uttered five words that are now symbolic of Kyiv’s heroic resistance.
In the full audio clip, the Moscow sailors are heard saying: “This is a Russian warship. I suggest you lay down your arms and surrender to avoid bloodshed and unnecessary casualties. Otherwise we will bomb you.
It took Roman Gribov seconds to decide that he would respond with a short, sweet and simple act of challenge.
“Well, that’s it,” the Ukrainian told a colleague. “Should I tell him to go alone?” Just in case. “
And then it was done. His message was sent. Immortalized words. He himself, his team and the outpost on Snake Island have been symbols of Ukraine’s valiant resistance ever since.
Initial reports say 13 Ukrainian border guards were killed by Russians after refusing to surrender. They were posthumously awarded Kyiv’s highest military honor.
Kyiv later said its defenders had been captured and held by invading forces. They were later returned in an exchange of prisoners.
Some Ukrainian troops wear embroidered patches in memory of the defenders of Snake Island Credit: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images
When The Telegraph contacted Ukrainian border guards to arrange an interview, officials said they were not available. The Telegraph has learned that Mr Gribov is still in hospital with post-traumatic stress disorder after being a Russian prisoner of war.
His words, meanwhile, have been perpetuated and can now be found in goods, including T-shirts and glasses.
Mr Gribov even applied for an EU trademark for his notorious response. Ukrainians lined up for hours, hoping to secure their own piece of history: a commemorative postage stamp on Snake Island.
The design – the result of a national competition – shows a lone Ukrainian soldier on the island raising his middle finger at the impending warship Moscow. The work of artist Boris Groh became an instant sensation, selling a million stamps and 20,000 envelopes.
Many Ukrainians remember where they were when they first heard of Snake Island.
Vladimir Laktionov, 34, of the Ukrainian Black Sea port city of Nikolaev, was at a local volunteer center for civil protection, making gasoline bombs when the initial battle for Snake Island was declared.
Mr. Gribov’s vulgar remark has become a cry for resistance throughout Ukraine, as on this street poster in Odessa. Credit: Scott Peterson / Getty Images
“I think I read about it in the Telegram,” he told The Telegraph last week while drinking tea in a cafe in Nikolaev.
“They just said that a Ukrainian soldier told a Russian warship to go to hell. It was a great motivator for everyone throughout the war. “
Alexander Sienkevich, the mayor of Nikolaev, repeated the defenders of Snake Island when the Russians demanded his surrender a few weeks later Credit: Colin Freeman
The answer “Go within yourself” has become a common slogan of disobedience for all Ukrainians. Alexander Sienkevich, the mayor of Nikolaev, issued the same response a week later when Russian forces tried to take the city and ordered him to surrender.
“This is really a rather rude expression, it is not something you would say to your mother,” added Mr. Laktionov. “But it is now quite popular among politicians to use it – the war has legitimized it.”
He even has a pair of commemorative socks at home embroidered with “Go F — Yourself”. And while they may not last as souvenirs to pass on to the next generation, he certainly intends to pass on the story of Snake Island.
“If I ever have children, I will definitely tell them about it. This is a great tale of patriotism. “
The importance of Snake Island contradicts its small size Credit: Alexey Loginov
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