COVERS N. 514/515 - UKRAINE

Postmark: Karmatorsk / Slovyansk 23.08.2024

Posted on the 23rd August; Received on the 25th September 2024

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After a week of trekking in the south (which will in time be reported about in my other blog, as usual), I return to these pages to comment on two letters from two cities in the Donbas region of Ukraine, which we have sadly become used to hearing about in the news as they  have (and still do) suffered heavily the effects of Russia's unjustifiable aggression and occupation.

It is a matter of wonder and absolute respect for those that ensure it,  that in times like this, public services, like the postal service, still carry on their essential functions.

My utmost respect for these Ukrainian Civil Servants and also my warm thanks for the person who, on behalf of Alex, sent me these two official and rather special first day covers, which were issued under the motto "Все буде UA" (Everything  will be UA).

Issued on the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine's independence, the "U" tariff  self-adhesive stamp wherein the yellow and blue national colours prevail, bears the shape of the country, with the "Все буде UA" legend written on it under the image of a mother holding a new born baby, an obvious allegory for rebirth and peace.

Reconstruction is also the obvious idea behind the UA letters in the envelope, designed as two habitational buildings being recovered from the effects of the aggressor's bombardments.

The Kramatorsk cover, on top, also carries  2 "F" tariff stamps which are part of the definitive series issued on 29SEO2021, dedicated to coats of arms of the cities of Ukraine. The coat of arms presented is that of the city of  Kremenchuk.

Postage on the Sloviansk cover was completed with four U tariff stamps of the set of two definitives issued on 27SEP22 dedicated to traditional Pysanka Easter eggs, in this case painted in the characteristic fashion  of the Lviv area.

The Sloviansk cover also features and additional postmark with the inscription "Донбас - це Украіна" (Donbas is Ukraine)