Ukraine's Postal Service Faces Weekly Arson Attacks Over Military Draft Role.

Ukrposhta's Arson Crisis

According to TSN.ua: Ihor Smilianskyi, the Director General of Ukrposhta, has reported that the state postal service is experiencing systematic arson attacks on its branches, with incidents occurring nearly every week. He attributes these attacks to the company's role in distributing military draft summonses.

"Almost every week, our branches are set on fire because we hand out summonses," stated Smilianskyi.

Contract with the Defense Ministry as a Catalyst

The root cause of these systematic attacks, according to Smilianskyi, is Ukrposhta's contract with the Ministry of Defense to deliver the summonses. In the autumn of 2025, the government approved changes whereby a summons sent by mail is considered legally delivered even if the recipient refuses to accept it. This means ignoring such a summons can lead to criminal liability. The situation highlights the intense societal pressures surrounding mobilization in wartime Ukraine.

Smilianskyi also noted that the company's status for employee deferrals from military service is linked to its critical role.

"We were granted deferrals not because we are 'Ukrposhta,' but because we are military infrastructure," he emphasized.

The ongoing arson campaign against Ukrposhta branches underscores the severe challenges the company faces. The attacks are a direct response to its legally mandated duty to distribute military summonses for the Defense Ministry.

• Failure to respond to a summons delivered by Ukrposhta can result in criminal charges.
• The legal requirement to acknowledge these documents underscores the significant risks for those eligible for military service.

The wave of arson attacks on Ukrposhta reflects the complex socio-political challenges Ukraine confronts during wartime and mobilization. The postal service plays a crucial role in maintaining communication between the state and its citizens, particularly on mobilization matters. Given the escalating risks to its employees and infrastructure, finding ways to protect these essential facilities is critical to ensuring their continued operation.