Salt of the Earth – Ukrainian Infantry Charity Stamp Set

“Salt of the Earth” is a powerful Ukrainian collectible honoring the infantry soldiers who carry some of the heaviest burdens of war — defending positions, holding the front line, and fighting for every meter of Ukrainian land.

Released for Infantry Day 2025, this complete Ukrainian postal set includes a sheet of 6 collectible stamps, a First Day Cover, and a commemorative card featuring artwork by acclaimed Ukrainian artist Andrii Yermolenko.

At the heart of the design is a Ukrainian infantryman kneeling on his native soil beneath the words:

“Піхота – сіль землі” — “Infantry – Salt of the Earth.”

The Story Behind “Salt of the Earth”

The expression “salt of the earth” is traditionally used for people who are dependable, hardworking, honest, and essential — people whose contribution may not always be glamorous, but without whom everything else would fall apart.

For Ukraine’s infantry, the phrase carries particular weight.

Infantry soldiers live and fight closest to the ground they defend.

They hold trenches and defensive positions.

They enter devastated towns and villages.

They endure mud, cold, heat, exhaustion, drones, artillery, and long periods away from their families.

When territory must be held, it is ultimately an infantry soldier who remains there.

That is why Ukraine’s infantry is often described as the backbone of the army.

The “Salt of the Earth” issue was created to honor those soldiers — from privates and sergeants to officers — whose courage has shaped Ukraine’s defense since 2014 and throughout the full-scale war.

Modern Infantry: More Than a Soldier With a Rifle

The image of infantry warfare has changed dramatically.

Today’s Ukrainian infantry units work with drones, communications technology, electronic systems, reconnaissance equipment, and robotic platforms alongside traditional weapons.

Yet the fundamental role has not changed: someone still has to defend the land.

From the defense of Ukrainian cities to operations that liberated occupied communities, infantry soldiers have been present at some of the most difficult and important moments of the war.

This collectible preserves their story in miniature.

Created by Ukrainian Artist Andrii Yermolenko

The artwork was created by Andrii Yermolenko, a prominent Ukrainian artist, illustrator, and designer and a recipient of Ukraine’s Taras Shevchenko National Prize.

His striking image of a soldier kneeling on Ukrainian soil makes the meaning of the issue immediately clear: infantry is inseparable from the land it protects.

A Charity Stamp Issue

The original “Salt of the Earth” release was also created with a charitable component.

Each of the six stamps carries the denomination U + 8 UAH, meaning an additional 8 hryvnias per stamp was designated for charitable purposes.

That makes the issue especially meaningful — it was designed not only to commemorate Ukraine’s infantry, but also to contribute through its original charitable surcharge.

What’s Included

Your collectible set includes:

• Sheet of 6 Ukrainian “Salt of the Earth” postage stamps
• First Day Cover envelope
• First Day cancellation
• Matching commemorative card

Together, these pieces create a much more complete collectible than the stamp sheet alone.

Stamp Sheet Details

• 6 collectible Ukrainian postage stamps
• Official issue: Salt of the Earth. To the Day of Infantry
• Ukrainian: Сіль землі. До Дня піхоти
• Denomination: 6 × (U + 8 UAH charity surcharge)
  
• Issue date: May 27, 2025
• Artist: Andrii Yermolenko
• Sheet size: 163 × 118 mm
• Original print run: 150,000 stamps
• Theme: Ukrainian infantry and national defense
• Original Ukrainian postal issue
• Made in Ukraine

The official specifications confirm the six-stamp sheet, catalogue No. 2189, May 27, 2025 issue date, 163 × 118 mm sheet size, artist, and 150,000-stamp circulation.

A Meaningful Gift From Ukraine

This set makes a thoughtful collectible for:

• Ukrainian stamp collectors
• Ukrainian military families
• Infantry veterans and service members
• Ukrainian diaspora families
• Military history collectors
• Supporters of Ukraine
• Collectors of modern Ukrainian history
• Anyone looking for a meaningful and authentic gift from Ukraine

The Salt of the Earth Ukrainian Infantry stamp set honors soldiers whose work is often the hardest and least visible — the men and women who remain on the ground, hold the line, and defend Ukraine one position at a time.

A powerful Ukrainian collectible dedicated to the people who are, quite literally, closest to the land they defend.

🇺🇦 Authentic collectible from Ukraine, available from Gifts from Ukraine with fast shipping from Canada.