Ukraine's Postal Chief Defends 'Whore' Remark as Intentional

CEO Igor Smilyansky Addresses Public Outcry

According to Главком: Igor Smilyansky, the head of Ukrposhta (Ukraine's national postal service), has responded to the controversy sparked by his reply to a corruption allegation, in which he called a female user a 'whore'. He stated this was a deliberate expression and claimed he did not intend to cause offense. Smilyansky argued that both he and the user had made assumptions without providing evidence.

'I am a lawyer, after all. She, without having facts, assumed I was corrupt. I assumed she was a whore. We both made assumptions. Hers is worse than mine because she accused me of a crime. She did not say I was a bad manager.' Igor Smilyansky

Smilyansky also highlighted Ukrposhta's status as part of the nation's military infrastructure. According to him, the company is entitled to defer military service for 100% of its eligible male employees, a crucial provision for its wartime operations. 'We were granted this deferment not because we are Ukrposhta, but because we are military infrastructure. We have a contract with the Ministry of Defense for the distribution of draft notices,' the CEO added.

The Significant Role of Women at Ukrposhta

Notably, women make up 72% of Ukrposhta's workforce, underscoring their vital contribution to the company's functioning. However, the contract with the Defense Ministry to deliver draft notices has resulted in substantial financial losses for the postal service. This situation illustrates the complex challenges Ukrposhta faces amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, where it must balance civilian and military duties.

The scandal surrounding Igor Smilyansky's remarks has drawn attention to issues of ethics and professional conduct among leaders of state-owned enterprises. At the same time, Ukrposhta's designation as military infrastructure emphasizes its role in supporting the state during wartime. Questions about corruption and transparency in government institutions remain pertinent, especially given the immense pressures the country is currently enduring.