In the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine, Igor Smelyansky, the head of the state postal service Ukrposhta, faces a daily dilemma that mirrors military command decisions. Standing before a large map of Ukraine in his Kyiv office, he reviews live intelligence on Russian attacks to determine where to deploy his staff. While he prioritizes safety, sending teams only when conditions permit, the imperative to reach isolated villages remains absolute.
Ukrposhta serves as a critical infrastructure link for millions of Ukrainians, particularly the elderly and poor in remote areas where commercial shops are scarce. Beyond collecting mail, the service distributes pensions in cash and collects utility payments, while also delivering essential food and medical supplies. Smelyansky describes the organization as part of the “glue” holding the war-torn nation together.
However, the service has become a specific target for Russian forces. In recent months, Moscow has intensified attacks on postal vehicles, sorting offices, and logistical hubs. The Kremlin has framed these strikes as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian online retailers such as Wildberries. Smelyansky argues the targeting is strategic rather than incidental.
“If we don’t go [to a village], we don’t have basic supply. We don’t have food. We don’t have medicine. People will struggle,” Smelyansky said. He warned that attacks on the postal service exert direct pressure on civilians dependent on these deliveries.
The risks for staff are severe. Postmen and women operate in active combat zones where drone threats are constant. Smelyansky noted that an unannounced arrival of a postal van can attract crowds, creating a visible target for opportunistic drone operators. Conversely, warning communities in advance risks leaks from Russian sympathizers. Since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, Ukrposhta reports that hundreds of branches and vehicles have been hit, and more than 50 employees have been killed in the line of duty.
BBC correspondent James Landale traveled with Kateryna Marynych, a 38-year-old postmistress working near the southern front lines. Marynych lost her home and husband during the war and relocated to the area. She previously managed a post office in the village of Lukasheve until a Russian drone destroyed the building in March while soldiers were working nearby.
Now operating from a van, Marynych serves a community where residents face dangerous and costly travel to reach cities like Zaporizhzhia. Recipients expressed deep gratitude for the mobile service. Nadiia, one customer, highlighted the difficulty of traveling through an active conflict zone. Oleksandrivna, 77, who is recovering from a stroke, said she would be unable to access medicine without the postal van’s visits.
For many locals, the postmistress provides more than just goods; she offers a vital human connection. Mykola, 64, described the monthly visits as one of the few joys in an otherwise harsh existence.
Marynych works alongside her partner and driver, Slava. They wear body armor and carry equipment to detect incoming first-person-view drones. Slava is armed for personal protection due to the cash transported in the van. Despite the danger, Marynych remains committed to her role.
“They love me, they need me,” she said. “Sometimes they call me… and ask me how I am. We are like a big family.”
As Russia escalates its campaign against civilian infrastructure—including energy facilities and transport networks—analysts note that targeting services like Ukrposhta is part of a broader strategy to undermine Ukrainian resilience as battlefield advances stagnate. For workers like Marynych, the postal van remains a lifeline, delivering not just packages, but a sense of continuity and state presence in areas under constant threat.
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