The Ukrainian soldier who told a Russian warship to “go f*** yourself” on the first day of the conflict has been honoured with a bravery award.

Roman Hrybov had been one of a troop of Ukrainian soldiers defending the tiny Snake Island in the Black Sea during a multipronged Russian attack on the first day of the conflict.

He became a rallying symbol in Ukraine as it stood up to the invading Russian forces and has now been recognised by the country’s defence ministry.

Roman Hrybov, the author of the famous “Russian Warship, Go F*** Yourself” phrase, returned from Russian captivity to his native Cherkasy region. Glory to the Hero! #GlorytoUkraine pic.twitter.com/uruPgkBLGv

A Ukrainian official initially reported that all 13 soldiers defending Snake Island had been killed and circulated an audio clip – shared hundreds of thousands of times online – of the exchange between Ukrainian and Russian forces.

In it a voice is heard saying: “This is a Russian warship.

“I propose you lay down your weapons and surrender to avoid bloodshed and unnecessary victims. Otherwise you will be bombed.”

Then came the now infamous reply from Snake Island: “Russian warship, go f*** yourself.”

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Days later it was discovered that Mr Hrybov and his comrades were alive but had been captured.

They were freed from captivity earlier this month and allowed to go home to Cherkasy, in central Ukraine.

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