The Ukrainian border guards who were defending the island of Zmiinyi (Odesa Region). Zmiinyi (Odesa Region) from the Russian army and thought to be dead are in fact alive and are being held captive by the Russians, the press service of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Naval Forces reported.

"Regarding the marines and border guards taken prisoner by the Russian occupiers on Zmiinyi Island. We are very happy to learn that our brethren are alive and well! But Russian propaganda is trying to spin the 'news' that the Ukrainian authorities allegedly 'forgot' and 'buried' their subordinates," the message reads.

It specifies that the defenders of the Ukrainian island twice repelled an attack by the Russian occupiers. For lack of ammunition, they were unable to continue defending the island.

The Navy notes that before capturing the Ukrainian defenders, the occupiers completely destroyed the island's infrastructure: the lighthouse, towers, antennas, and the like. Communication with Zmiinyi Island was cut off.

"Repeated attempts to contact the personnel and find out their fate were in vain. And constant shelling by Russian warships and aircraft prevented the marines from delivering support," the Navy reports.

They add that on February 26, having received information that there might be dead and wounded among our defenders on Snake Island, the civilian ship MPRS Sapphire was sent to the island in order to carry out a humanitarian mission to help the victims.

"Together with the crew agreed to go fathers Vasily Virozub, Alexander Chokov and their assistants. But they were illegally seized by the Russians. The illegal seizure of a civilian ship, a non-combatant, which was not carrying out any military task, is a violation of the rules and customs of war and international humanitarian law. We demand from the Russian Federation the immediate release of the illegally captured Ukrainian citizens," the Navy stressed.

The Ukrainian military also appealed to the world community, to believers of all churches to take all possible measures to influence Russia for the return of Ukrainian citizens.

"To summarize what has been said, we want to add, the enemy has once again demonstrated its essence. And once again proved that there is no faith and truth in his actions and words," the Navy concluded.