HEROES

 

HEROES - DAVID BOWIE

"We can beat them, for ever and ever

Oh we can be Heroes, just for one day" *

 * I copy and paste this with the deepest respect for the heroes on Snake Island in the Black Sea who defied a Russian invasion force and died for their bravery. Yes, they were heroes on the day but their exploit will be remembered forever.

NDTV reports it like this:

Thirteen Ukrainian soldiers, who were asked to surrender by a Russian warship, were killed after they refused. They instead asked the Russian ship to “go f*** yourself”.

An audio clip of the incident has surfaced on social media during the Russian invasion, and has been carried by many publications. It carries a warning from a Russian warship to Ukrainian soldiers defending the Snake Island in the Black Sea. After their refusal, the warship opens fire in which all 13 were killed.

The Snake Island is strategically located on the southeast border of Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia on Thursday. It was approached by two naval vessels, according to reports in Ukrainian media.

According to the transcript of the audio exchange, one of the Russian ships contacted the outpost on approach. 
“This is a Russian warship, I repeat. I suggest you surrender your weapons and capitulate otherwise I will open fire. Do you copy?” the Russian ship said.

In response, one of the Ukrainian guards is heard saying, “This is it." He then appears to ask fellow guard, "Should I tell him to go f*** himself?”

The other guard tells him, "Just in case." The Ukrainian soldier then bluntly responds, “Russian warship, go f*** yourself.”

Another short video from the incident, which is doing the rounds on social media, shows two soldiers on the same Snake Island live-streaming it. These soldiers are outdoors and wearing military helmets.

Soon a gunshot is heard, and one of the soldiers is heard yelling. The video ends abruptly.

"Russian warship, go fuck yourself" will go down in history just like the classic "Nuts!" as said to Major Wagner of the 47th Panzer Corps by Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe acting commander of the US 101st Airborne at Bastogne in December 1944 when the Germans called on the Americans to surrender.

"December 22, 1944

To the German Commander,

N U T S !

The American Commander"

When the Germans asked what 'nuts' meant they were told it means 'go to hell' or, as the Ukrainians would have said 'go fuck yourselves'.