Ukrposhta unveils postal series dedicated to Hero Cities of Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel
The postal block is produced in a limited edition of 100,000 copies (Photo:Укрпошта)
Ukrposhta’s new “We will not forget! We will not forgive!” postal series is dedicated to Kyiv Oblast’s hero cities of Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel and their unconquered residents, who were among the first to face Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrposhta’s press service announced on March 31.
A special ceremony was held in Irpin near the cultural center that was destroyed by Russian rockets in the early days of the full-scale invasion.
The ceremony was attended by Ukrposhta CEO Ihor Smilianskyi, Irpin Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn, Bucha Oblast Military Administration head Danylo Mavliianov, Hostomel Village Military Administration head Serhiy Borysiuk, and Hanna Pysarchyk, a resident of Irpin depicted in one of the photos in the postal set.
Ceremonies were also held in Bucha and Hostomel, and the First Day special cancellation ceremony traditionally took place at the Kyiv Main Post Office.
“Ukrposhta has depicted cities of Ukraine on its postage stamps many times. However, the Heroes’ Cities series among wartime stamps is special,” Smilianskyi said.
“A year ago, Irpin, Bucha, Hostomel, and other cities and villages of Kyiv Oblast were among the first to face the occupiers’ attack, boldly opposing the enemy and defending the capital of our country. It was then that we and the world saw that Ukraine could win this full-scale war.”
The postal stamps in the set feature documentary photos of a destroyed Russian military convoy on Vokzalna Street in Bucha, a crossing over the Irpin River used as the main evacuation route for civilians, and a drawing of the world’s largest transport aircraft, the AN-225 Mriya, at its home airport in Hostomel – before it was destroyed by the occupiers.
The set design also includes an image of a red and white crime scene tape, traditionally used to cordon off crime scenes.
The limited-edition series features 100,000 copies selling for UAH 54. In addition to the postal set, a First Day cover, an art envelope, and three postcards dedicated to each of the cities were also released.
The release is available at Ukrposhta stores, post offices, major city branches, as well as online.
Customers will be restricted to purchasing no more than two sets and two First Day covers per online or at post offices, and no more than one of each at other branches.
The new release is also being sold on online marketplaces such as eBay and Amazon.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel with the honorary title of Hero City in March 2022.
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