Business as Usual Under Air Raids
On a November morning in the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv, an air raid siren pierced the routine bustle at a Nova Post branch, forcing staff and customers into a concrete shelter. Minutes later, with the all-clear sounded, employees returned to the counter and resumed sorting parcels. The drill has become routine for Nova Post, reflecting how one of Ukraine’s largest private companies has adapted to operating amid constant security threats nearly four years into Russia’s invasion.
Operating Through War Conditions
Nova Post has learned to function despite blackouts, missile strikes and damaged transport links, delivering more than 1.5 million parcels a day. Drone attacks have become increasingly common in Chernihiv, about 125 km north of Kyiv, while overnight strikes on power infrastructure frequently leave homes and businesses without electricity. To keep services running, the company has adjusted workflows, extended operating hours and invested in backup systems that allow branches to function during outages.
From Market Disruptor to National Lifeline
Founded in 2001, Nova Post transformed Ukraine’s postal market by offering one- to two-day deliveries, breaking the dominance of state-owned Ukrposhta. During the war, the company’s role has expanded beyond logistics, connecting western border regions with frontline cities in the east and south and maintaining delivery services for Ukrainians who have relocated within the country or fled abroad. Company officials say Nova Post plans to continue expanding its network in 2026.
Human and Financial Toll of the War
Operating in a war zone has come at a high cost. Since the start of Russia’s invasion, Nova Post has lost 249 employees, including 227 who were drafted into the army and killed in combat and 22 civilians killed in Russian strikes. The company estimates financial losses of about 1 billion hryvnias due to damage to branches and facilities, along with a further 3 billion hryvnias to compensate for around 138,000 parcels destroyed during the fighting.
Staying Where Others Leave
Despite the risks, Nova Post is often among the last major businesses to withdraw from contested areas. It closed its final branch in the besieged eastern city of Pokrovsk only in February and continues to deliver parcels to frontline locations, including the southern city of Kherson. Company managers say maintaining services in these areas is critical for residents and small businesses that rely on regular deliveries for essential goods.
Record Volumes and Rising Profits
The company delivered a record 480 million shipments in 2024, a 16% increase from the previous year, and expects double-digit growth again this year, driven in part by a strong Christmas season. Net profit rose about 35% to 2.88 billion hryvnias in the first nine months of 2025. Nova Post now employs about 30,000 people and has expanded both its automated parcel locker network and its branch footprint across the country.
Expanding Beyond Ukraine
Nova Post’s growth has extended beyond national borders. When the war began, the company operated only in Ukraine and Moldova, but it is now present in 16 countries. Executives say Europe remains a key focus for further expansion, alongside plans to increase parcel flows to and from the United States, China and other international markets.
Keeping Operations Running During Blackouts
To ensure continuity during power cuts, Nova Post has invested heavily in generators, gas supplies at major sorting depots and satellite internet connections using Starlink. These measures allow branches to continue operating even when cities lose electricity and internet access. Some branches have also become informal community spaces, with residents stopping by to charge phones or seek warmth during outages.
Delivering Normalcy in Wartime
As the holiday season approaches, Nova Post has introduced festive packaging inspired by Vytynanka, a traditional Ukrainian paper-cutting art form. Company representatives say the initiative is intended to preserve a sense of normalcy and emotional connection for customers during a period of prolonged conflict, reinforcing the company’s role as both a logistical and social lifeline.
With information from Reuters.
