Ukraine’s postal service celebrates soldiers honored with military awards

Ukrainian national postal service Ukrposhta issued the "Cross of Combat Merit" stamp. This is the first stamp dedicated to a military award during a full-scale war.

The executive director of Ukrposhta, Ihor Smilianskyi, announced the news, Rubryka reports.

He said that the Cross of Combat Merit is an award of the President of Ukraine and is awarded to the bravest of the bravest.

It is awarded to people who, in conditions of extreme danger, perform heroic deeds or have significant success in managing troops, for example, Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi and Defense Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov.

"During the full-scale war, thousands of our soldiers were awarded numerous awards. Of course, the most important of them are not medals and orders, but our gratitude to them for their exploits and the opportunity to live in an independent, albeit imperfect, but free Ukraine," Smilianskyi added.

Anyone can buy a stamp honoring the awarded soldiers in branches and online.

"What's cool, from now on, you can reward or congratulate your loved ones in the Armed Forces with this stamp by sending a postcard or letter to the unit or the front line. It will probably be one of the most symbolic and pleasant gifts for defenders during difficult battles," Smilianskyi said.

The circulation of the new postal block is 450,000 stamps. The number of stamps in a sheet is 6. The cost of a sheet is ₴90 ($2.5).

The release of the "Cross of Combat Merit" stamp was announced on October 2 on the occasion of the Day of Defenders of Ukraine.

Ukrposhta also announced stamps with Leopard 2 tanks and the Patriot air defense system.