The history of mail and postage stamps of Ukraine covers periods of development of postal services on its territory during the times of Kievan Rus, the Russian State, the Russian Empire, the USSR and modern independent Ukraine. Postage stamps began to be used in circulation from the middle of the 19th century; initially these were Austrian and Russian, and for most of the 20th century - Soviet stamps. Independent releases took place on behalf of temporary state entities, occupation administrations and some other Ukrainian organizations. Ukraine has been a member of the Universal Postal Union since 1947. Since 1992, postage stamps of independent Ukraine have been issued.