Zelenskyy marks 500th day of Russian invasion with Snake Island visit
Kyiv, Jul 8 (EFE).- Ukrainian president Volodymir Zelenskyy on Saturday marked the 500th day since Russia invaded his country by visiting Snake Island, a strategic post in the Black Sea that was taken by the Russians for four months last year at the start of the war.
Ukrainian troops stationed on the island defied orders from the Russians to surrender, as the island became a symbol of Ukraine’s resistance against the Kremlin’s invasion.
“I want to thank precisely from here, from this place of victory, each of our soldiers for these 500 days: our armed forces, our intelligence service, our National Guard, our border guards, the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police, our transmission operators, our people,” he said. “I thank all those who are fighting for Ukraine”.
Zelenskyy said he hopes the freedom that all the heroes wanted for Ukraine and “which must be won precisely now”, will be “an honor for all those who gave their lives for Ukraine”, and added, “We will certainly win”.
“Although it is a small piece of land in the middle of our Black Sea it is a great proof that Ukraine will regain every part of its territory,” Zelenskyy said, quoted by Unian agency.
“Grateful to all those who fought here against the occupiers. We honor the memory of the heroes who gave their lives in this battle, one of the most important in large-scale warfare. Glory to each and every one of those who fought for the safety of our Black Sea!” he added. EFE
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