On November 4, Ukrposhta put into circulation the stamp "Crimean bridge encore!". The solemn special first day of issue ceremony with the stamp "First Day" was held in a significant and symbolic place - on the pedestrian-bicycle bridge that runs across Volodymyrskyi Descent, popularly known as the "Klitschko Bridge". On October 10, the bridge in the heart of the capital became the target of the enemy and suffered a missile attack from Russia, but remained almost unharmed.

The event was attended by Ukrposhta CEO Igor Smelyansky, Head of the State Property Fund, delegate of the Kurultay of the Crimean Tatar people, member of the Ukrainian negotiating group Rustem Umerov and Yuriy Shapoval, author of the postage stamp.

"Russia started its aggression in Ukraine with the occupation of Crimea, and Ukraine will end this war by liberating all territories from enemies. There will be no such illegal construction as the Crimean Bridge in the Ukrainian Crimea," said Rustem Umerov, Head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine.

The Crimean bridge is an illegally built transport crossing that connects the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula with Russia through the Kerch Strait. As part of the full-scale war launched by the invaders on February 24, 2022, it was through it that Russian military echelons were moving, equipment and ammunition were transported. To recap: On October 8, the Crimean bridge was damaged by explosives, which partially limited the supply of weapons. On the same day Ukrposhta announced the issue of a thematic art stamp.

The postage stamp "Crimean bridge encore!" contains several interesting details and hints: a cigarette butt in the hands of the heroine, as evidence that recently the occupiers have been creating too many problems for themselves from smoking in prohibited places, a car flying into the abyss, losing looted household appliances, a Bayraktar that "accidentally" flew over the bridge and a broken enemy tank.

In order to increase the collection value, the circulation of the stamp has been reduced compared to the announced one, it will be 2.1 million copies or 300 thousand stamp sheets. The nominal value is M (because M stands for the first letter in the word "bridge"), which costs 18 UAH per stamp or 126 UAH per sheet of 7 stamps. The stamp will be accompanied by an envelope "First Day", an unmarked artistic envelope and a postcard.

"All significant events that take place in our country are recorded by Ukrainian philately. The Crimean bridge is a temporarily undesirable connection between Ukraine and Russia, a symbol of occupation, arbitrariness. The explosion that occurred on the bridge is a harbinger of the future collapse of the terrorist state. Ukrposhta works every day for the victory of the country and for every Ukrainian. We are transforming our rage into strength, restoring our own identity and creating new wartime cultural masterpieces", - commented Igor Smelyansky, CEO of Ukrposhta.

The author of the postage stamp is Yuriy Shapoval, a painter, works in painting, graphics and installation. He graduated from Poltava National Technical Yuri Kondratyuk University. Participant of all-Ukrainian and international exhibitions and plein airs.

"The vocation of the artist is not only to create a beautiful picture that everyone will like. It is important to put history, deep meanings, to convey emotions, to provoke reflection in your works. Postage stamps preserve not only the cultural heritage and history of Ukrainians, but also have become one of our weapons," said Yuriy Shapoval.

You can buy a new postal set "Crimean bridge encore!" starting from November 4 at all Ukrposhta offices and on the official website, as well as on the marketplaces Prom, Kasta, Rozetka, eBay and Amazon. Online you can buy up to 10 postal sheets, 10 art envelopes and 10 postcards per order. "First Day" envelopes can be purchased only at post offices with a maximum of 2 copies per order. Also, themed merchandise featuring the new stamp will be available on all online platforms: T-shirts, sweatshirts and two types of magnets.