"Russian warship, go f**k yourself!" Sheet of 6 Stamps W Series

One of the most recognizable Ukrainian postage stamps ever issued, the “Russian Warship, Go Fk Yourself!” W Series stamp sheet captures a defining moment of Ukrainian defiance at the very beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The design by Ukrainian artist Borys Groh shows a Ukrainian defender standing on the shore and defiantly facing the Russian warship Moskva. The phrase that inspired the stamp came from the defenders of Snake Island on February 24, 2022, after a Russian warship demanded their surrender. Their refusal quickly became an international symbol of Ukraine’s courage and resistance. 

For collectors of modern Ukrainian history, wartime postage stamps, or meaningful Ukrainian memorabilia, this is one of the landmark issues of 2022.

Stamp Sheet Includes

• 6 original Ukrainian postage stamps
• W denomination – originally issued for international postage
• Official issue date: April 12, 2022
• Artist: Borys Groh
• Original print run: 500,000 stamps
• New and unused
• Authentic Ukrainian postal issue 

The Story Behind the Stamp

On the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian defenders stationed on Snake Island in the Black Sea were ordered by a Russian warship to surrender.

Their now-famous response — “Russian warship, go fk yourself!”** — spread around the world and became a symbol of Ukraine’s refusal to submit.

When a national competition was held to create a stamp commemorating this moment, more than 500 artists from Ukraine and abroad submitted designs. More than 8,000 people voted online, choosing Borys Groh’s striking image of a lone Ukrainian defender facing the Russian warship. 

The stamps were officially released on April 12, 2022.

Then came an extraordinary coincidence.

Just one day later, on April 13, the Russian Black Sea Fleet flagship Moskva — the ship associated with the Snake Island confrontation — was struck by Ukrainian forces. It sank the following day, April 14. The event gave the stamp an almost immediate place in Ukrainian wartime history and later inspired the second issue, “Russian Warship… DONE!”

What Does the W Series Mean?

Two versions of the original stamp were issued.

The W Series was intended for international mail and carries the patriotic message “Glory to Ukraine!” The accompanying F Series was intended for domestic Ukrainian postage. 

For collectors, the W sheet is therefore a distinct official version of the original historic issue.

Authentic Ukrainian Collectible

This is an original Ukrainian stamp sheet, not a reproduction.

Carefully packed to protect the sheet during transit and shipped quickly from our Canadian warehouse.

Add one of the defining Ukrainian collectibles of 2022 to your collection — a stamp that captured a historic moment just as history was unfolding.