Images from Ukraine: Irpin residents welcome reissue of Russian Warship Stamp as latest sign of victory

Reports from Ukraine: This feature is part of an original Milwaukee Independent editorial series that recorded news from cities across Ukraine, including Milwaukee's sister city of Irpin, in May 2022. It was the first and, at that time, only news organization in Wisconsin that traveled to the country since it was invaded. The purpose of this journalism project was to document personal stories and events that detailed or showed the conditions of the war at that time, and their connections to Milwaukee. mkeind.com/reportsfromukraine

Ukrposhta, Ukraine’s Post Office, issued another two stamps commemorating the sinking of the Russian warship Moskva on May 23. It was the first time residents in war-torn Irpin had the chance to purchase the highly valued collectables.

The Russian flagship Moskva began an assault on Snake Island, a small but strategic Ukrainian island in the Black Sea, on February 24. A contingent of 13 border guards were stationed there at the time of the attack.

The Moskva called on the soldiers to surrender the island, which was firmly declined by its defenders. The reply, translated into English, became a global symbol of Ukrainian bravery and resistance against Russia’s assault.

Now credited to Roman Hrybov, his answer to the Russian ultimatum was “Russian warship, go f@ck yourself.”

Ukraine’s postal service launched a competition in early April to illustrate the incident. Out of more than 500 submissions, a design by Boris Groh was selected. His artwork depicted a Ukrainian soldier from behind making an obscene gesture at the Russian Black Sea flagship.

Originally, the stamp was only available in Kyiv. Even so, Ukrainians traveled great distances and waited in the long lines to purchase, seeing it as a sign of victory.

As an added irony, the Moskva – the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and most prized Russian vessel in its navy, was sunk on April 13 as a result of damage from Ukrainian missiles.

The new stamps continue the original theme, based on Boris Groh’s artwork issued on April 12. Groh’s original design showed a soldier on Snake Island flipping off the Moskva. For the new stamp design, the ship has been removed.

The date of its sinking was added to the new design. Also included is the message “Russian Warship … DONE!” in English and Ukrainian.

Even though Irpin’s government has not announced that the public can return, as it works to repair vital public infrastructure, residents have come home and the city no longer appears like a ghost town. For the release of the commemorative stamps, there was a long line of a couple hundred people.

The stamp release was one of the first public events held in Irpin since its liberation at the end of March. While even the post office showed signs of scars from the war, the interest and excitement around the stamp gave residents a brief return to normal life.

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