Russian warship, go fuck yourself — phrase of a Ukrainian soldier during the 2022 Battle of Snake Island, which spread as an Internet meme
A Ukrainian border guard's defiant phrase became a rallying slogan of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and was commemorated on a postage stamp.
Key Facts
- Date of incident
- 24 February 2022
- Speaker
- Ukrainian border guard Roman Hrybov
- Target vessel
- Russian missile cruiser Moskva
- Commemorative stamp issued by
- Ukrposhta (Ukrainian postal service)
- Moskva sank
- 14 April 2022, after Ukrainian missile strike
- Hrybov's award
- Medal awarded upon release, end of March 2022
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
On 24 February 2022, Russian forces launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As part of the Snake Island campaign, the Russian missile cruiser Moskva approached the island and demanded the surrender of Ukrainian border guards stationed there.
Border guard Roman Hrybov addressed the Moskva with the phrase 'Russian warship, go fuck yourself,' his final radio communication before the island's defenders were captured. Hrybov surrendered and was taken prisoner; he was initially believed killed. The phrase spread rapidly as an anti-war slogan and symbol of Ukrainian defiance.
The phrase was adopted widely in pro-Ukrainian protests internationally and commemorated on a Ukrainian postage stamp by Ukrposhta. The Moskva was later struck by Ukrainian anti-ship missiles and sank on 14 April 2022, prompting Ukrposhta to issue an altered stamp with the warship removed. Hrybov was released and awarded a medal.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent