A Telegram post from 2003 reportedly describes a failed Russian attempt to seize the Ukrainian island of Tuzla in the Kerch Strait. Russia began constructing a dam from the Taman Peninsula towards Tuzla, which Ukraine reinforced with border guards, stating they would not allow border changes.

The dam construction stopped when only hundreds of meters remained, and the conflict was resolved through negotiations. The post suggests Tuzla was an early test of Ukrainian sovereignty, preceding events in Crimea, Donbas, and the full-scale invasion.