There are warriors for whom there are no impassable boundaries. They confidently walk on land, overcome water obstacles and operate in the sky when the combat mission requires it. That is why Ukrainian marines are called warriors of the three elements. Their service is a combination of strength, endurance, professional skill and boundless devotion to Ukraine. The postal sheet “To the Day of the Marine Corps. Warriors of the Three Elements”, put into circulation by JSC “Ukrposhta” on May 21, 2026, became an artistic tribute to all who wear the black beret of the Marine Corps, protecting the Ukrainian land, sea and airspace.

The history of the Ukrainian Marine Corps dates back to the time of the Ukrainian People's Republic, when the first units of marines were formed. After the restoration of Ukraine's independence, this branch of the military received new development, and the real test for it was the Russian aggression that began in 2014. It was then that the Marines were among the first to defend the state, demonstrating resilience and courage during the defense of Mariupol, Shyrokyne, Vodyanye and many other sections of the front.

The full-scale Russian invasion in 2022 made the Ukrainian Marines one of the symbols of the invincibility of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Marines held the most difficult lines, conducted complex landing operations, participated in counteroffensives, crossed rivers, liberated Ukrainian territories and rescued their comrades under heavy enemy fire. Their combat work proved to the whole world that Ukrainian soldiers are able to act effectively in the most difficult conditions, remaining faithful to their military oath and their people.

It is this multifaceted nature of the service that is reflected in the artistic concept of the postage stamp. The central place on the postage stamp is occupied by a modern Ukrainian marine in full combat gear. His figure symbolizes courage, professionalism, and readiness to perform tasks of any complexity. Behind him, a panorama of combat operations unfolds, combining all three elements.

The upper part of the composition depicts military helicopters supporting airborne operations. Their presence reminds us of the close interaction of different branches of the military during modern combat operations and the speed of response, on which the success of the mission often depends.

The lower part of the stamp is occupied by the sea, where a combat boat with marines is moving at high speed. This symbolizes the mobility, determination, and readiness of Ukrainian marines to perform combat missions both on the coast and in open waters. At the same time, the seascape is a reminder of the strategic importance of the Black and Azov Seas for Ukraine.

The artistic combination of cold blue and warm golden-orange shades gives the composition a special emotionality. They symbolize the struggle of light and darkness, peace and war, as well as the unbreakable faith of Ukrainians in victory. Dynamic strokes and motion effects create a feeling of continuous action, as if the viewer himself finds himself next to the marines during the performance of a combat mission.

The stamp sheet complements the artistic idea of ​​the issue. Six postage stamps are combined into a single composition, where the upper and lower fields contain large-scale battle scenes with the use of aviation, armored vehicles and airborne units. Such an artistic technique creates a holistic panoramic canvas that significantly expands the content of a separate stamp. The sheet demonstrates the interaction of all components of a modern military operation and emphasizes that the success of the Marine Corps is ensured not only by the personal courage of the soldiers, but also by the effective work of all the defense forces of Ukraine.

The official emblem of the issue deserves special attention - "Warriors of the Three Elements", which emphasizes the special mission of the Marine Corps and its ability to perform combat missions regardless of the terrain conditions or the nature of the fighting. This motto has become a symbol of the versatility of Ukrainian Marines and at the same time a recognition of their high professionalism.

The author of the artistic design of the stamp, the "First Day" envelope, the card and the presentation folder was Oleksandra Kalmykova, who managed to create a modern, emotional and extremely dynamic image of the Ukrainian Marine Corps. The issue was carried out with the assistance of the 30th Marine Corps of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which gave the project a special authenticity.

The technical characteristics of the issue meet the modern standards of Ukrainian philately. The postage stamp format is 40 × 28 mm, the stamp sheet format is 123 × 146 mm. The stamp denomination is the letter “U”. Modern Ukrainian stamps are printed by offset printing at the Ukraine Printing Plant. The stamp circulation is 630,000 copies, First Day envelopes are 15,000 copies, art cards are 15,000 copies, presentation folders are 350 copies.

The postal issue “For the Day of the Marine Corps. Warriors of the Three Elements” is not only a means of postal payment, but also an artistic chronicle of Ukraine’s modern struggle for freedom. It immortalizes the feat of those who always find themselves where it is most difficult, who are the first to go to the