Ukraine’s Snake Island revenge

WHEN the skipper of Russia’s mighty warship Moskva demanded the surrender of Ukrainians defending Snake Island in the Black Sea in February, he was bluntly told: ‘Russian warship, go f*** yourself.’

The island fell but the exchange symbolised the defiance of Ukraine against the might of Vladimir Putin.

Now Ukraine is claiming a measure of revenge after appearing to destroy a Russian ship delivering supplies to its troops stationed on the island.

Footage released by its defence ministry yesterday, right, shows a Serna landing craft being engulfed in smoke and flames after apparently being hit by a Bayraktar TB2 drone strike. While the aerial footage is undated, analysis has verified that it was taken above Snake Island.

The 13 Ukrainians who defied the Russian warship in February were feared dead but are now thought to have been captured and freed as part of a prisoner exchange.