Ukraine’s postal service markets demilitarised guns to fund troops

Ukraine’s state postal service, Ukrposhta, has begun selling a limited collection of demilitarised historical firearms, with proceeds partly directed toward supporting the military, according to an official announcement.

The initiative was unveiled by Ukrposhta CEO Ihor Smelyansky following a renewed wave of large-scale Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities. Details of the sale were published on the company’s official website.

The collection consists of service weapons that were historically used to protect postal shipments over several decades. Ukrposhta said it will donate 1,000 hryvnias (around $22) from each sale to support Ukraine’s armed forces.

Items available include Nagant revolvers manufactured between 1929 and 1945, as well as TT pistols produced from 1936 to 1954, both of which were previously issued to postal service personnel.

All weapons in the collection have been demilitarised and are classified as inert replicas. Ukrposhta stressed that they are non-functional and intended исключительно for collectors. Each item is accompanied by a unique serial number and official documentation verifying its authenticity.

The company framed the initiative as symbolic, stating: “These historical exhibits will never shoot again, but they can still protect. Their final mission is to turn into support for our military. It is symbolic that the legacy of an empire of the past will work against the empire that is once again trying to destroy Ukraine. Let this be its final shot — no longer a bullet, but a contribution to our victory.”

By Tamilla Hasanova