Ever since the Russian army invaded Ukraine almost two weeks ago, Ukrainians have shown incredible resiliency and resolve.
We’ve seen some downright heroic acts, like the Ukrainian man picking up a Russian landmine with his bare hands to move it out of the road, as well as one of my favorite stories so far about the 13 soldiers who reportedly died (however they now are saying they may be alive) defending Snake Island with a defiant “go fuck yourself” to a Russian gunship.
That quote has become a sort of rallying cry for the Ukrainian people ever since the war started, along the lines of the badass statement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made when telling U.S. officials that the fight was already here, and he needed ammunition, not a ride, when they offered to evacuate him and get him to safer place.
The Ukrainian people have not given up as they continue to fight to keep control of their free and independent country, and their bravery in the face of war and incredible amounts of fear is truly inspiring to say the very least.
And if you thought the soldiers yelling at the Russian warship was as amazing as I did, you’re gonna love this… they’ve taken that slogan and are absolutely running with it, trolling the hell out of Russia by plastering billboards in different towns and cities across the country that read:
“Russian warship, go fuck yourself.”
According to CNN, when it was initially suspected that all 13 soldiers died, President Zelenskyy said that they don’t plan on backing down any time soon, and that event on Snake Island was a prime example:
“This island, like the rest of our territory, is Ukrainian land, and we will defend it with all our might.”
When I say these billboards are everywhere, you can go search it on Twitter and scroll through tons of photos just like these.
It’s also extremely impressive that they’ve organized this and put so many up so quickly in the middle of a war, but these people have proven time and again how committed they are to defending their freedom… and it makes a hell of a statement:
‘Russian warship, go fuck yourself.’
New Ukrainian billboard…with some not-too-subtle symbolism. pic.twitter.com/NvdLxbaY3Y
— Nolan Peterson (@nolanwpeterson) March 6, 2022
These billboards have appeared all over Dnipro quoting the snake island border guards. “Russian warship, go fuck yourself.” pic.twitter.com/DHk4VWL8ja
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) March 1, 2022
"Russian warship – go f*ck yourself"
Billboards in west Ukrainian city Ivano-Frankivsk today are displaying the already legendary quote by the Ukrainian defenders of Snake Island pic.twitter.com/mXR3BYoNrf
— Business Ukraine mag (@Biz_Ukraine_Mag) February 28, 2022
Ukrainians are replacing road signs and billboard adverts with advice for Russian troops to get the fuck out of #Ukraine. Many of those signs are (paying homage to #Zmiinyi Island defenders) using the variation of the phrase "Russian warship go fuck yourself." pic.twitter.com/y00hrLUcz9
— WithUkraine 24/7 (@With__Ukraine) February 28, 2022
This billboard in Kharkiv reads: “Russian Warship – Go fuck yourself!”
— The Telegraph pic.twitter.com/j0rCCn9nZ1
— Peter Jordan 🇺🇦 (@PM_Jordan) March 5, 2022
Billboard in Kaunas, Lithuania
"Russian warship, go fuck yourself" pic.twitter.com/Rx3CMShPBI
— crumbs 🇱🇹♥️🇺🇦 (@crumbss0) March 2, 2022
Today in Western Ukraine. “Russian Warship – Go Fuck Yourself” billboard proudly displaying! #StandWithUkraine️ #RussianWarshipGoFYourself #Ukraine #SlavaUkrayini pic.twitter.com/fKe0f9RBD1
— Кріс (@KyivChris) March 1, 2022
Birth of a meme in Ukraine:
First pic is a digital billboard of what Ukrainian soldiers said on February 24th to a Russian warship that asked soldiers on Snake Island to surrender: “Русский военный корабль, иди на хуй!” (English: “Russian warship, go f**k yourself!”) (1/2) pic.twitter.com/rDTYoyjYXE
— Jack Szwergold יעקב 🇺🇦 (@JackSzwergold) March 4, 2022