The philatelic world has come together to support Ukraine following Russia’s renewed invasion of the country this February.
On March 10, about two weeks after Russia launched an all-out war that has since spurred Europe’s largest refugee crisis since the Second World War, Latvia became the first country to issue a stamp in support of Ukraine. Several other countries, including Canada, have also since issued stamps or announced forthcoming releases to support the war-torn country.
In May, Canada Post unveiled a stamp – to be issued on July 7 – to raise funds for the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, a national charitable foundation based in Toronto (“New semi-postal stamp to support Ukrainians,” CSN Vol. 47 #4, June 7, 2022).
In addition to the Latvian and Canadian issues, other stamps have offered support from the following countries:
- Estonia on March 24;
- Poland on March 25;
- Austria on March 31;
- Liechtenstein on April 4;
- Croatia on April 12;
- Moldova on April 19;
- Luxembourg on May 11; and
- Lithuania on June 9.
This spring, the Toronto-based Ukrainian Collectibles Society, a chapter of the Ukrainian Philatelic & Numismatic Society, also issued a Picture Postage stamp voicing Canada’s support.
Ukrposhta, Ukraine’s national postal service, has issued several war-related stamps, including an issue honouring its soldiers’ defence of a strategic island (“Defiant Ukrainian stamp hits back at Russia,” CSN Vol. 47 #3, May 24, 2022) and the sinking of a Russian warship (“Ukraine warship stamp design updated, reissued,” CSN Vol. 47 #5, June 21, 2022).