Ukraine release stamps featuring Vladimir Putin being flipped in judo match

13 March 2023 , 10:29

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The stamps show a Banksy creation of Russian president Vladimir Putin being flipped by young boy during a judo match (Image: AP)

Ukraine have released stamps featuring Vladimir Putin being flipped by young boy in a judo match to mark a year since Russia invaded the country.

Putin is a huge judo fan and the black belt has previously attended major events including the World Championships and the 2012 London Olympic Games. However, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine he was suspended by the International Judo Federation.

The stamps are based on a mural painted by Banksy, which appeared in the Kyiv region of Borodianka in October. They carry the additional message "FCK PTN" and have been a huge success, with queues of Ukrainians keen to buy them.

"We believe that the Ukrainian postage stamp 'FCK PTN!' will also become prophetic," Igor Smelyansky, head of Ukraine's postal service told Inside the Games

"And in 2023, Ukraine, which is smaller in terms of territory but hundreds of times more motivated, will finally 'pin Russia to the mat.'"

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Unknown British street artist 'Banksy' is a political activist who has created iconic artwork with subversive messages since the 1990s. Banksy has been a big supporter of the Ukraine war effort and sold 50 limited-edition prints with all the proceeds going towards the country.

Vladimir Putin was suspended by the International Judo Federation after Russia's invasion of Ukraine (AP)

Banksy's artwork has appeared in several of the worst hit cities in Ukraine and he released a video of seven new murals on ruined buildings.

Borodianka resident Yula Patoku and her daughter Zlata, aged six, spoke to the British artist as he painted the image of a small child throwing Putin during the judo fight.

“I chatted with Banksy, not knowing who he was, as he created this artwork and when he spoke to my daughter she told him she liked it," Yula told the Daily Mirror. “She told Banksy she thought it was like a child saving his father from being attacked by a monster – a bit like Ukraine rescuing the world from something evil, like Russia.

“The image is Ukraine beating Russia for sure but it is different perhaps from a child’s eyes. Others see it as the young Ukraine battering the evil terrorism of older Russia.”

The stamps which have been released showing Vladimir Putin being flipped by a young boy during a judo match (Getty Images)

Yula’s sister Oksana Koronik added: “This place was devastated by those monsters. Who would do such a thing? I love this artwork. For me it is youthful and potent, defiant Ukraine fighting and winning against the monster of Russia – or President Zelensky beating Putin in a fight.

“It will be here forever as a reminder of how we stood up to Putin.”

Benjamin Goddard