'We are moving forward': Zelensky sends defiant message from Snake Island on 500th day of Russia war
Ukraine's President has delivered an impassioned speech of thanks and defiance from Snake Island on the 500th day of his country’s war with Russia.
In an address posted on the President of Ukraine’s website, Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine will "definitely win" the war.
"Today, we are on Snake Island, on our Snake Island, which will never be conquered by the occupier," he said.
"Like the whole of Ukraine, because we are a country of the brave.
"Today, we honoured here our Ukrainian heroes. All the soldiers who fought for this island. Who liberated it.
"And although this is a small piece of land in the middle of our Black Sea, it is a great proof that Ukraine will regain every bit of its territory."
Snake Island, with a size of 42 acres, is a tiny speck of rock in the Black Sea that has become a symbol of Ukrainian defiance and victory in their war with Russia.
After being in Russian hands, Ukrainians repeatedly struck the island to make it completely untenable for the Russians - eventually liberating Snake Island.
It was also in the vicinity of Snake Island that the Moskova, the flagship of the Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet, was sunk.
"I want to thank from here, from this place of victory, each of our soldiers for these 500 days.
"Our Armed Forces, our intelligence, the national guard, our border guards, the security service of Ukraine, the national police, our liaison officers, our people, I thank you.
"Thank you to everyone who fights for Ukraine and let the freedom that all our heroes of different times won it for Ukraine, and that must be won right now.
"Be a tribute to all those who gave their lives for Ukraine."
It comes after the Ministry of Defence said the last seven days, Bakhmut has been "the site of some of the most intense fighting along the front".
"Ukrainian forces have made steady gains to both the north and south of the Russian-held town," the latest defence update said.
"Russian defenders are highly likely struggling with poor morale, a mix of disparate units and a limited ability to find and strike Ukrainian artillery.
"The Russian leadership almost certainly see it as politically unacceptable to concede Bakhmut, which has a symbolic weight as one of the few Russian gains in the last 12 months.
"However, there are highly likely few additional reserves to commit to the sector."
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