Moscow, 8 July 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday marked the 500th day since Russia's full-scale invasion of his country by visiting the strategically important Snake Island in the Black Sea.

"Today we honoured our Ukrainian heroes, all the soldiers who fought for and liberated this island," Zelensky said in a video posted on his Telegram channel.

The clip shows the Ukrainian head of state travelling to the tiny rocky island accompanied by Ukrainian military personnel and laying wreaths for the fallen.

Located 45 kilometres off the coast of Romania, Snake Island gained notoriety after the start of the war when its small garrison refused to surrender to a Russian naval vessel. Instead, the Ukrainian radio operator responded "Russian warship, f*** off."

The island was nevertheless captured by the attackers and the garrison imprisoned. Less than two months later, the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet "Moskva," which was involved in the incident, sank. The Ukrainians recaptured Snake Island in July 2022.

The island is now free and, like the whole of Ukraine, will never be fully occupied, Zelensky pledged in his video. Ukrainian troops were also making progress on other fronts, he said, referring to the recently launched counteroffensive operations.

Photo: Twitter