The Ukrainian postal company, Ukrposhta, has embraced a unique blend of humor and patriotism through its unconventional war-themed stamps. The most notorious of these features a soldier raising a middle finger to a Russian warship in response to demands for surrender early in the conflict. This audacious image captured public interest, especially after the cruiser Moskva was sunk just two days later, leading to rapid sales and its selling out within a week. Highlighting its cultural significance, remaining stamps were allocated to Ukrainian government delegations abroad.
Ukrposhta's head, Ihor Smilyansky, admits that the decision to create such bold designs was risky but essential, stating, "I don’t care whatever everyone else thinks. I just believe it's the right thing to do." The company's approach includes frequent public polling on new designs, many of which reflect the political climate in Ukraine, including a wildly popular stamp depicting a tractor dragging a captured Russian tank alongside the phrase, “Good evening, we’re from Ukraine.” Approximately eight million of these stamps have been sold.
Other stamps featuring the mine-sniffing dog Patron have raised around $500,000, with most of that funds directed toward mine-clearance efforts and animal shelters. Additionally, a stamp showcasing a mural by renowned graffiti artist Banksy has helped finance bomb shelters, all the while utilizing untranslatable expressions that speak to the current conflict with Russia.
Smilyansky emphasizes that adding humor to these stamps is a means of maintaining morale during difficult times, asserting that humor has become a significant form of resilience for Ukrainians in the face of war. Oscar Young from UK-based Stanley Gibbons notes that such frank and audacious designs starkly contrast the typically polite and artistic nature of standard stamps, further cementing their uniqueness.
As international collectors grow fonder of these distinctively bold designs, British collector Laura Bullivant acknowledges their strength, stating, “They are bringing something to the game that no other country could.” Through these stamps, Ukraine’s spirit not only defies the invasion but also emphasizes the resilience and camaraderie of its people.
Ukrposhta's head, Ihor Smilyansky, admits that the decision to create such bold designs was risky but essential, stating, "I don’t care whatever everyone else thinks. I just believe it's the right thing to do." The company's approach includes frequent public polling on new designs, many of which reflect the political climate in Ukraine, including a wildly popular stamp depicting a tractor dragging a captured Russian tank alongside the phrase, “Good evening, we’re from Ukraine.” Approximately eight million of these stamps have been sold.
Other stamps featuring the mine-sniffing dog Patron have raised around $500,000, with most of that funds directed toward mine-clearance efforts and animal shelters. Additionally, a stamp showcasing a mural by renowned graffiti artist Banksy has helped finance bomb shelters, all the while utilizing untranslatable expressions that speak to the current conflict with Russia.
Smilyansky emphasizes that adding humor to these stamps is a means of maintaining morale during difficult times, asserting that humor has become a significant form of resilience for Ukrainians in the face of war. Oscar Young from UK-based Stanley Gibbons notes that such frank and audacious designs starkly contrast the typically polite and artistic nature of standard stamps, further cementing their uniqueness.
As international collectors grow fonder of these distinctively bold designs, British collector Laura Bullivant acknowledges their strength, stating, “They are bringing something to the game that no other country could.” Through these stamps, Ukraine’s spirit not only defies the invasion but also emphasizes the resilience and camaraderie of its people.
