Part of Snake Island defenders remain in Russian captivity - GUR

Part of Snake Island defenders, as well as a significant part of those who defended Mariupol and the Azovstal steelworks, are still in Russian captivity. Work on their release continues.

During a briefing at the Ukraine-Ukrinform Media Center on the occasion of the presentation of a series of three documentaries "Military intelligence of Ukraine: at sea, in the sky, on the ground", GUR spokesman Andrii Yusov, said this while answering a question about the fate of Snake Island’s defenders.

"Indeed, part of the defenders of Snake Island, a significant part of the defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal are in Russian captivity. Work continues to ensure that each of them returns home. Those boys and girls who have already been released are now going through the process of rehabilitation and post-isolation support, and are returning either to a conditionally normal life, as much as we can all live a normal life today, or to the fight, continuing to fulfill their duties. Therefore, this is a really sensitive topic," Yusov noted.

During the presentation of the films, the official noted the important principle for all journalists and those in the film industry, which is "do no harm."

"The main principle here is 'do no harm', because everything is happening and continues to happen in real-time, this is the view of Ukrainian journalists, Ukrainian directors, and international media, which show the truth through their documentaries. This truth is on the side of Ukraine because it is on the side of international, humanitarian law, on the side of historical justice. And at the same time, very often you just can't show whatever you want," Yusov added.

As reported by Ukrinform, a series of documentaries on GUR’s combat operations in 2022 was presented on Monday. The films use exclusive footage showing specops troops in action and cover the operation at Azovstal, the Kharkiv offensive, and the liberation of Snake Island.

Russian troops captured Snake Island on the first day of the full-scale invasion on February 24. Initially, there came reports that, after the shelling of the island by Russian warships and warplanes the infrastructure was destroyed and communication with the border guards deployed there was lost. On February 28, Ukraine’s Navy reported that the Marines and border guards captured by the Russian occupiers on Snake Island are alive. They were released from captivity in November. On June 30, the Ukrainian military completely liberated Snake Island, forcing the invaders out of the area. Russian defense officials confirmed the pullback of their troops, referring to the escape as a "gesture of goodwill."

On December 6, 2022, border guards with the Izmail Detachment, together with the families of the Heroes and the community, welcomed back their three brothers-in-arms who had been in Russian captivity for nine months.