Kyiv unveils stamp dedicated to Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence special unit Artan

The special cancellation ceremony took place with the participation of Main Intelligence Directorate Chief Kyrylo Budanov, Ukrposhta CEO Ihor Smilianskyi, Brigadier General with the call sign "Philosopher," Artan commander Viktor Torkotuk, and members of the unit.

The stamp’s print run is very limited — only 1,670 copies — and it has already gained collectible value.

“Usually, when we cancel a Main Intelligence Directorate stamp, something gets taken out on enemy territory afterward. The units of the Main Intelligence Directorate are probably world champions at destroying the enemy,” Smilianskyi said during the ceremony.

Photo: postage stamp dedicated to Artan (press service of the Main Intelligence Directorate)

Photo: postage stamp dedicated to Artan (press service of the Main Intelligence Directorate)

Photo: postage stamp dedicated to Artan (press service of the Main Intelligence Directorate)

Each set includes a numbered sheet with 6 stamps, an envelope, and a special cancellation postmark. Each stamp in the set is dedicated to a separate operation of Artan.

“The stamp is a record of historical events. Much has already been done, but there is still much to accomplish. I am confident that Artan’s motto — We Know. We Find. We Destroy. — will be fully realized overall,” emphasized Budanov.

According to Brigadier General with the call sign “Philosopher,” the Main Intelligence Directorate needs no further introduction, and without a doubt, Artan is one of the strongest special forces units not only in Ukraine but worldwide.

“This is our work, our people, many who have contributed efforts to carry out the operations. This is a memory that will be passed down to future generations. Thanks to every Artan warrior. These stamps are about each of you, from the first rotation to today’s operations,” added the special unit commander Viktor Torkotuk.

The collectible stamp can be purchased on the Ukrposhta website.

What is known about the Artan unit

The unit was formed during the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine from volunteers. It is known for bold and unique operations. The fighters distinguished themselves in battles in the Kyiv, Donetsk, and Kharkiv regions, Bakhmut, Kupiansk, Chasiv Yar, and also carried out complex missions deep behind enemy lines.

One of the first combat missions was a landing operation in the temporarily occupied Enerhodar, with the maximum objective to liberate the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. For this, the special forces crossed the Dnipro River by boats, conducted sabotage work, engaged in firefights with the enemy, but the main task was not accomplished.

During the battle for Bakhmut, the Artan fighters covered vulnerable positions and helped hold the Chasiv Yar–Kostiantynivka route, preventing the enemy from encircling the Defense Forces. In the Black Sea, they provided defense of Zmiinyi Island after its liberation, with the most famous operation being the return of the Boyko Towers.

Artan also took part in operations on the territory of temporarily occupied Crimea in October 2023. The fighters landed on the western coast, on the Tendra and Kinburn spits, attacked the enemy, and after completing their mission, successfully withdrew.

At the beginning of 2024, Artan scouts managed to recover the body of a Ukrainian pilot who had been shot down by the Russian army at the very start of the full-scale invasion. His plane crashed in the middle of a minefield, and for almost two years, our military was unable to enter the occupied territory in the Zaporizhzhia direction.

In August 2024, Artan special forces landed on the Tendria Spit and destroyed enemy armored vehicles, including an MT-LB, an enemy electronic warfare system, and demolished fortification defenses of the occupiers.

And a few months ago, Artan warriors took part in an operation during which a Russian regiment was destroyed and 400 hectares of forest in the Kharkiv region were cleared.