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Ukraine
Ukrainian philatelic materials related to Ukrainian resistance to Russian aggression
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Contents:
- Country overview
- Philately of Ukraine
- Official stamps of Ukraine related to Ukrainian resistance to Russian aggression through Philately
- Postal stationery and commemorative covers of Ukraine related to Ukrainian resistance to Russian aggression through Philately
- Some other postal stationeries of Ukraine to consider
- Commemorative postmarks of Ukraine related to Ukrainian resistance to Russian aggression through Philately
- References
Ukraine, is a sovereign state in Eastern Europe, has an area of 603,628 km2 and a population of about 42.5 million.
Ukraine is the largest country entirely within Europe. It's about the same size as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal and Belgium combined.
The geographical center of Europe is in western Ukraine – close to the village of Dilove. claim made by geographers in 1886 using the technology of the day.
The territory of modern Ukraine has been inhabited since 32,000 BC. During the Middle Ages, the area was a key centre of East Slavic culture, with the powerful state of Kievan Rus forming the basis of Ukrainian identity.
Following its fragmentation in the 13th century, the territory was contested, ruled and divided by a variety of powers, including Lithuania, Poland, the Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary and Russia.
A Cossack republic emerged and prospered during the 17th and 18th centuries, but its territory was eventually split between Poland and the Russian Empire and later merged fully into Russia.
Two brief periods of independence occurred during the 20th century, once near the end of World War I and another during World War II.
However, both occasions would ultimately see Ukraine's territories consolidated into a Soviet republic, a situation that persisted until 1991, when Ukraine gained its independence from the Soviet Union in the aftermath of its dissolution at the end of the Cold War.
Before its independence, Ukraine was typically referred to in English as "The Ukraine", but sources since then have moved to drop "the" from the name of Ukraine in all uses. [R1]
In 1918 an independent Ukrainian People's Republic was established and a series of five definitive stamps were issued.
Ukraine used the stamps of the Soviet Union from 1919 until the end of 1991, apart from during World War II.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine declared its independence and the first stamps of the new republic were issued on 1 March 1992.
In 1992 the Ukrainian Post Office overprinted stamps of the Soviet Union with stylised tridents for use in Kiev, Lviv and Chernihiv.
Other Soviet stamps overprinted with similar designs are not believed to have been postally valid. Since 1992, a variety of commemorative and definitive stamps have been issued. [R2]
On February 24th, 2022 Russian army invaded Ukraine territory and currently bombing peaceful cities and killing civilians all over the territory of Ukraine. Please think twice if you want to buy anything from Russia, even some stamps or covers, and indirectly support their aggression against Ukraine, free and independent European country.
Less than a week after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, the country’s post office, Ukrposhta, announced plans to issue a stamp to illustrate “Ukrainians’ determination to defend their land,” and asked the public to send in their designs.
Official stamps of Ukraine related to Ukrainian resistance to Russian aggression
- The stamps issued before Russian invasion in 2022
- The stamps issued during Russian invasion 2022-now
| 22.08.2014 "Euromaidan 2013-2014" | 05.12.2014 "For the honour! For the glory! For the people!" | 20.02.2015 "In a Memory of People Killed During Euromaidan" |
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| 12.10.2015 "Ukraine Defender's Day" | 25.03.2016 "UkrOboronProm' Military Equipment" | 02.07.2016 "UkrOboronProm' Military Equipment" |
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| 11.08.2017 "UkrOboronProm' Military Equipment" | 14.10.2018 "Defenders of Ukraine - Brend and Leshiy" | 27.06.2019 "Glory To Ukraine!" |
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| 22.01.2020 "Fifth Anniversary of Battle Of Donetsk Airport" | 29.05.2020 "War-Virus" | 09.10.2020 "UkrOboronProm' Military Equipment" |
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| 14.03.2021 "Land Forces of Ukraine Military" | 19.11.2021 "Minesweeper U311 Cherkassy" MiNr.: , Scott: 1327 | |
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On February 24th, 2022 Russian army invaded
Ukraine territory, tried to occupy it by attacking not only
military targets but also civilian objects including all
major cities of Ukraine. The Russian army, who planned to occupy Ukraine in a few weeks only, was surprised by strong resistance of Ukrainian forces and civilian population on occupied territory. |
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| 12.04.2022 "Russian warship, go …! Glory to Ukraine!" [1] MiNr.: , Scott: 1338-1339 | 23.05.2022 "Russian warship … DONE! Death to the enemies!" [2] | 28.06.2022 "Ukrainian dream (Mrija)" [5] |
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| 28.07.2022 "Good evening, we are from Ukraine!" [3] | 24.08.2022 "Ukraine: Free, Unbreakable, Invincible" [4] | 01.09.2022 "Patron The Soldier Dog" [6] |
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| 14.10.2022 “Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine!” [7] | 04.11.2022 "The Crimean bridge for an encore!" [8] | 06.12.2022 "Weapons of Victory" . |
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| 09.12.2022 "Kherson is Ukraine!" | 19.12.2022 "Victorious New Year!" + | |
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| 15.02.2023 "Warriors of light. Warriors of goodness" [10] | 24.02.2023 "FCK PTN!" (Banksy graffiti) [9] | 31.03.2023 "The cities of Heroes: Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel" + [11] |
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| 09.05.2023 "Glory to the Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine! Offensive Guard" | 09.05.2023 "PEACE - The Highest Value of Humanity, EUROPA stamp" | 01.06.2023 "Children of Victory draw the Ukraine of the future" |
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| On May 9th, 2023, many European countries issued
"PEACE - The Highest Value of Humanity" EUROPA stamp(s).
The motif shows a new symbol of peace as a metaphor for a peaceful and integrated society,
where humans embrace each other’s cultures. These stamps supposed to show solidarity with Ukraine and to promote the universal value for all humanity — peace. |
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| 30.06.2023 "Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine" | 26.07.2023 "Tribute to Ukraine Security Services" | 04.08.2023 "Fighters of Evil" |
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| 24.08.2023 "Ukrainian Motherland Monument in Kyiv" | 29.08.2023 "Eternal Memory to the Defenders of Ukraine" | 14.09.2023 "Hero Cities of Kharkiv Region" |
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| 29.09.2023 "Weapons of Victory - The World with Ukraine" | 01.11.2023 "Heroic professions. Iron men" | |
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Notes:
More than 500 authors from Ukraine and different parts of the world took part in the national competition for the best sketch for the postage stamp “Russian warship, go fuck yourself!” which spontaneously turned into an international one.
Online voting by more than 8,000 respondents determined the winner - the work of Boris Groh, who was forced to leave his home in 2014 after the Russian occupation of Crimea and now lives in Lviv.
These stamps have the combined print run for both issues at least 1 million. However, they sold out quickly and have been the subject of rampant speculation. Many of the people who bought these stamps were not traditional stamp collectors. Most of the stamps were sold inside Ukraine, much to patriotic noncollectors who often stood in long lines to buy them. Dealers outside Ukraine had a hard time getting them.
[2] On April 12, 2022, Ukrposhta put into circulation the postage stamps "Russian warship, go…!", Which artistically depicted the first days of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and one of the brightest pages of resistance of the Ukrainian military to the occupier. on offer to surrender.
The very next day after the stamps were put into circulation - on April 13 - it became known about the successful operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as a result of which the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet was damaged and sank on April 14, 2022.
[3] Greeting “Good evening, we are from Ukraine!” became iconic in 2022 after the Russian military invasion of Ukraine. Today, journalists, officials, and military personnel start their broadcasts with this phrase, it sounds in musical tracks. The very phrase “Good evening, we are from Ukraine!” was chosen by Ukrainians, from among 5 topics presented at the vote, as the plot of the next postage stamp of Ukraine during the war. In the open competition for the best sketch for the postage stamp “Good evening, we are from Ukraine!”, for which 1,500 creative works were submitted, the drawing of Anastasia Bondarets won the undisputed victory. In general, 900,000 respondents took part in the voting. According to the author of the postal edition, Anastasia Bondarets, her drawing is about the fact that every Ukrainian, by virtue of his own capabilities, does everything that depends on him/her to bring our Victory closer.
[4] 300 years of dreams of statehood; 105 years of struggle for free Ukraine; 31 years of building independence; 8 years of defense of sovereignty and borders. On February 24, 2022, russia began a new phase of the eight-year war against Ukraine - a full-scale offensive that has been going on for 6 months. Unexpectedly, the invaders faced enormous resistance from the Ukrainians. Due to the resistance of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Self-Defense Forces, the russian army suffers daily huge losses in manpower and equipment. And although the enemy carries out massive missile and bomb attacks on peaceful Ukrainian cities and villages every day, organizing the genocide of the Ukrainian people, the nation remains invincible. In the struggle for freedom, Ukrainians demonstrate incredible displays of heroism, patriotism, indomitability, love for their Motherland, each at their place, making their most important contribution to the Victory. With postal issue "FREE. UNDREAKABLE. INVINCIBLE" Ukrainian Post honors Ukrainians who have become real heroes for the whole world!
[5] Eleven-year-old Sofia Kravchuk from Lyuboml, Volyn Region, drew a sketch for a postage stamp, envelope and card. Winners of the All-Ukrainian competition of drawings and photographs "What is Ukraine for me?", Which took place last year as part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Independence of Ukraine. 6,134 participants took part in the competition, from which the organizers received 10,276 works (drawings and photographs).
The childhood dream of the young artist Sofia Kravchuk about the happy future of Ukraine is connected with the winged "Mriya". In Sofia's picture, the world's largest and most powerful AN-225 "Mriya" plane decorated with pink flowers flies to the stars. Unfortunately, during the hostilities on the territory of Ukraine, the legendary Ukrainian plane was destroyed. The enemy destroys Ukrainian equipment, destroys settlements, but it is unable to destroy the WILL and the desire of Ukrainians for FREEDOM, it can not destroy the UKRAINIAN DREAM. Ukrainians, will definitely rebuild the plane and will welcome it again in Kyiv at the parade in honor of the Independence Day of Ukraine!
[6] The postal issue is dedicated to dog Patron, a favorite of adults and children, the mascot of Ukrainian rescue workers, and a welcome guest at public events. Since the beginning of the war, the Jack Russell Terrier named Patron has served in the pyrotechnics team of State Emergency Service of Ukraine. Two years ago, the head of the pyrotechnic group of the Main Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Chernihiv region gave his son a puppy. The four-legged pet was prepared for exhibitions, but because of the war he had to become a sapper. In addition to duty, Patron attends press conferences, meetings with foreign leaders, and visits children in hospitals. Patron has been awarded the Medal "For faithful service". "Dog Patron" – the first charity postage stamps of Ukraine, issued with an additional face value of 8 UAH. Charitable contributions collected in this way by Ukrposhta was used to purchase a mechanized demining machine and provide assistance to animal shelters.
[7] The postage issue is dedicated to the defenders of Ukraine who defend the sacred Ukrainian land and those who gave their lives defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our state.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are one of the best armies in the world, demonstrating professionalism, courage, high combat capability and ingenuity in confronting a powerful enemy.
Stamp sheet "Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine!" contains postage stamps depicting servicemen of the Ground Forces, Air Forces, Naval Forces, Airborne Assault Forces, Special Operations Forces and Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who give a worthy rebuff to the aggressor, defend the State on the ground, in the air and on the sea.
Stamp sheet "Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine!" - a charity issue of Ukrposhta.
Charitable contributions collected in this way was directed by Ukrposhta to help the Armed Forces.
[8] The illegally built Crimean bridge so far connects the temporarily occupied Ukrainian Crimean Peninsula with Russia. Since the full-scale war initiated by Russia on February 24, 2022, the bridge had been actively used by the occupiers to reinforce their army.
The October 8, 2022 explosion on the Crimean Bridge, which partially destroyed the bridge, debunked the myth of its incredible durability and protection.
Ukrainian artist Yurii Shapoval’s fantasy about the inevitable fate of the bridge across the Kerch Strait is embodied in the sketch for the postage stamp “The Crimean Bridge encore!” Apart from the main subject, the stamp contains several interesting details and hints: a cigarette butt in the hand of the heroine, as a symbol of the fact that the occupants often suffer from smoking in forbidden places; an enemy passenger car flying into the abyss, losing its looted property, among which is even a washing machine; the Bayraktar, flying “accidentally” over the bridge; a broken enemy tank, which was crossed by the occupants to the front in a column.
[9] On the anniversary of the Great War, Ukrposhta presented the postage stamp "FCK PTN!".
On February 24, 2022, when russia insidiously attacked our country from the ground and from the air, aiming to conquer Ukrainians and capture the capital within the days, our people stood up for the defense of state and nation, transforming all their fury against the enemy.
The graffiti on the wall of a damaged building in urban-type settlement Borodyanka, which depicts the duel of two judokas, was chosen by Ukrposhta as a sketch for the postal issue "FCK PTN!".
A little boy who knocks out a grown man is an allegorical image - this is the struggle of Ukraine against the russian federation.
The most famous street artist and political activist, Banksy, who anonymously visited Ukraine in fall 2022, created on destroyed buildings in Kyiv and its suburbs a series of graffiti, dedicated to the war.
In his works the artist rises important topics and brings attention of the world to the tragic events.
[10] The war that Russia started against Ukraine continues both on the front and in the rear.
The enemy uses tactics of destruction of critical infrastructure, which is especially vulnerable for civilians in winter.
By its insidious actions, russia hopes to break the will of Ukrainians, plunge the country into "darkness", weaken the determination of Ukraine to go to Victory.
But the enemy miscalculated. Just like with the plans to "take Kyiv in three days".
Despite regular massive rocket attacks targeting thermal power plants, power lines, gas facilities, Ukrainians have demonstrated courage, endurance and ingenuity by lighting their homes and public institutions with candles, charging stations and generators.
Ukrainians are deeply grateful to the specialists of the special services who selflessly restore the roadway and communication 24/7 after the enemy missile attacks and return light, heat and gas to the homes of Ukrainians.
[11] The postcards of "The cities of Heroes: Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel" stamps shows the cities before and after Russian "liberation":
Many of Ukrainian Mini-Sheets have very fine decoration on their margins.
Mini-Sheets of Ukraine related to Russian invasion 2022
| 22.08.2014 "Euromaidan 2013-2014" | 20.02.2015 "In a Memory of People Killed During Euromaidan" | 25.03.2016 "UkrOboronProm' Military Equipment" |
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| 02.07.2016 "UkrOboronProm' Military Equipment" | 11.08.2017 "UkrOboronProm' Military Equipment" | 22.01.2020 "Fifth Anniversary of Battle Of Donetsk Airport" |
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| 09.10.2020 "UkrOboronProm' Military Equipment" | ||
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| 12.04.2022 "Russian warship, go …! Glory to Ukraine!" (F value) .[1] [MS1] | 12.04.2022 "Russian warship, go …! Glory to Ukraine!" (W value) .[1] [MS1] | |
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| 23.05.2022 "Russian warship … DONE! Death to the enemies!" (W value) . | 23.05.2022 "Russian warship … DONE! Death to the enemies!" (F value) . | 28.07.2022 "Good evening, we are from Ukraine!" (M value) . |
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| 28.07.2022 "Good evening, we are from Ukraine!" (F value) . | 04.11.2022 "The Crimean bridge for an encore!" | 09.12.2022 "Kherson is Ukraine!" |
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| 19.12.2022 "Victorious New Year!" | 24.02.2023 "FCK PTN!" (Banksy graffiti) [9] | 30.06.2023 "Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine" |
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| 26.07.2023 "Tribute to Ukraine Security Services" | 04.08.2023 "Fighters of Evil" | 24.08.2023 "Ukrainian Motherland Monument in Kyiv" |
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| 29.08.2023 "Eternal Memory to the Defenders of Ukraine" | ||
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Notes:
[MS1] "Russian warship, go …! Glory to Ukraine!" stamps (both Mini-Sheets) were issued in quantity of 500.000 each value. They were sold out in few days, became rare and expensive, offered on the Internet for €50-€100 per Mini-Sheet.
The next issue, "Russian warship … DONE! Death to the enemies!" were issued in quantity of 2.000.000 each value. They are still on sale in the on-line store of Ukrainian Post for their face value: Mini-Sheet with stamps of W value - €4.63, the Mini-Sheet with stamps of F value - €1.94.
Ukrainian postal stationery and commemorative covers related to Ukrainian resistance to Russian aggression
| 2014 "Sergej Kulchickij" | 2014 "Taras Senjuk" | 2014 "Constantin Mogilko" |
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| 2014 "Sergej Zelenskij" | 2015 "Dmitro Majboroda" | 2015 "Ruslan Lyuzhewkij" |
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| 2015 "Sergej Krivonosow" | 2015 "Oleksander Anischenko" | 2016 "Bogdan Zavada" |
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| 2016 "Yurij Kovalenko" | 2016 "Ivan Zubkov" | 2017 "Sergej Zimbal" |
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| 2017 "Igor Zinich" | 2017 "Vasil Slipak" | 2017 "Oleg Michnyuk" |
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| 2018 "Maxim Shapovalow" | 2019 "Oleksander Lavrenko" | 2019 "Volodimir Garmatij" |
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| 2019 "Sergij Kolodij" | 2020 "Oleg Michnyuk" | 2020 "Evgen Telnov" |
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| 2021 "Andrij Sokolenko" | 2022 "Sergij Mixalchuk" | |
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| 2021 "Crimean Tatar - Day of Resistance to the Occupation of Crimea" | 2021 "In the hearts of the heirs - Glory Kozaks" | 2022 "Welcome to Hell!" | |
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Notes:
Ukrainian postmarks related to Ukrainian resistance to Russian aggression
Some postmarks of Ukraine inscribe the month of the issue written as abbreviation in Ukrainian. Here is the list months of the year in Ukrainian, their transcriptions and English translation.
| English | Ukranian | Transcription |
| January | Січень (Січ) | sichenʹ |
| February | Лютий (Лют) | lyutyy |
| March | Березень (Бер) | berezenʹ |
| April | Квітень (Кві) | kvitenʹ |
| May | Травень (Тра) | travenʹ |
| June | Червень (Чер) | chervenʹ |
| July | Липень (Лип) | lypenʹ |
| August | Серпень (Сер) | serpenʹ |
| September | Вересень (Вер) | veresenʹ |
| October | Жовтень (Жов) | zhovtenʹ |
| November | Листопад (Лис) | lystopad |
| December | Грудень (Гру) | hrudenʹ |
Legend is below
| 22.08.2014 "Euromaidan 2013-2014" [FDC] | 21.11.2014 - now "Post of Maidan" d[PM] | 05.12.2014 "For the honour! For the glory! For people!" [FDC] |
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| 20.02.2015 "In a Memory of People Killed During Euromaidan" [FDC] | 28.09.2015 - now "Donbas is Ukraine"[PM] | 25.03.2016 "UkrOboronProm' Military Equipment I" [FDC] |
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| 25.03.2016 "UkrOboronProm' Military Equipment I" [FDC] | 07.05.2016 "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!" [Sp] | 02.07.2016 "UkrOboronProm' Military Equipment II" [PM] |
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| 11.08.2017 "UkrOboronProm' Military Equipment" [FDC] | 11.08.2017 "UkrOboronProm' Military Equipment" [FDC] | 12.10.2018 "Defenders of Ukraine" [FDC] |
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| 14.03.2019 "Fifth Anniversary of National Guard Battalion named after General Kulchitskogo" [Sp] | 22.01.2020 "Fifth Anniversary of Battle of Donetsk Airport - Kiew" [FDC] | 22.01.2020 "Fifth Anniversary of Battle of Donetsk Airport - Slavyansk" [FDC] |
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| 09.10.2020 "UkrOboronProm' Military Equipment" [FDC] | 09.10.2020 "UkrOboronProm' Military Equipment" [FDC] | 23.02.2021 "Land Forces of Ukraine Military" [FDC] |
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| 13.10.2021 "Defenders Day" [Sp] | 19.11.2021 "Minesweeper U311 Cherkassy" [FDC] | 19.11.2021 "Minesweeper U311 Cherkassy" [FDC] |
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| 12.04.2022 "Russian warship, go …! Glory to Ukraine!" [FDC] | 12.04.2022 "Russian warship, go …! Glory to Ukraine!" [FDC] | 12.04.2022 "Russian warship, go …! Glory to Ukraine!" [FDC] |
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| 23.05.2022 "Russian warship … DONE! Death to the enemies!" [FDC] | 23.05.2022 "Russian warship … DONE! Death to the enemies!" [FDC] | 28-29.07.2022 "Good evening, we are from Ukraine!" [FDC] |
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| 28.07.2022 "Good evening, we are from Ukraine!" [FDC] | 24.08.2022 "Ukraine: Free, Unbreakable, Invincible" [FDC] | 24-25.08.2022 "Ukraine: Free, Unbreakable, Invincible" [FDC] |
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| 28.08.2022 "Ukrainia Mria" [FDC] | 01-02.09.2022 "Patron The Soldier Dog" [FDC] | 01.09.2022 "Patron The Soldier Dog" [FDC] |
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| 14.10.2022 "Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine!”" [FDC] | 03.05.2022-now "Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol are Ukraine!" [PM] | |
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Notes:
[PM1]
References:
- [R1] Ukraine: Wikipedia, FlagCounter
- [R2] Postal History and Philately of Ukraine:
Wikipedia
Links to official website of the Post Authority, stamp catalog and a list of new stamps of Ukraine are here
Acknowledgements:
Many thanks to Dr. Peter Voice, USA for the draft page review and his very valuable comments.
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