"‘Surrender or Bombardment’ Russian Troops Met with ‘Get Lost’ Response from Ukrainian Soldier Medal"

Released as the First Prisoner Exchange Candidate

Roman Hrybov soldier is receiving a medal. Photo by Ukraine Ministry of Defense Twitter

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A Ukrainian border guard who was captured as a prisoner after responding to the Russian army's surrender demand with a curse, saying "Get lost," has been awarded a government medal.

On the 29th (local time), according to the British media outlet The Guardian, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense awarded a medal to border guard Roman Hrybov.

Earlier, on the first day of the Russian invasion, February 24, Hrybov, along with 12 other border guards, defended the territorial waters on Zmiinyi Island, a small island in the Black Sea located 48 km from the southern mainland of Ukraine. This island was a key point in defining Ukraine's territorial waters, so from the first day of the invasion, they faced Russian warships.

The Russian army threatened them over radio, saying, "If you lay down your arms and surrender, bloodshed and unnecessary casualties can be avoided. Otherwise, we will shell you."

However, Hrybov responded over the radio, "Russian warship, shut up and get lost."

The communication exchanged between the Russian army and the border guards was reported by local media and then spread worldwide through social media (SNS) and news reports.

At that time, it was reported that the guards refused to surrender and died in the Russian army's bombardment. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised their sacrifice, calling them "Heroes of Ukraine."

However, a few days later, the Ukrainian border guards announced that some of them were alive and had been captured by the Russian army. On the 25th, one month after capture, they were included in the first prisoner exchange conducted after the Russian invasion and were released.

President Zelensky said in an interview with Russian media, "Some died, and some were taken prisoner," adding, "Those who were captured were exchanged with the Russian army," and "Russia proposed it, and we exchanged prisoners without hesitation."

The Cherkasy regional government released a video showing Hrybov receiving a medal from Igor Taburets, head of the Cherkasy Regional State Administration.

After receiving the medal, Hrybov said, "I want to express my deep gratitude to the Ukrainian people who supported us so that we could survive captivity and return alive," adding, "I strongly feel the support of the Ukrainian people, and their encouragement is felt as motivation for the Ukrainian military to continue the resistance."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.