At the height of his career (1857–1863), F. I. Pryanishnikov ultimately run the Russian postal department on an equal footing with ministers.

Town post was organised in St. Petersburg in 1835 followed by similar services in Moscow (in 1844) and other cities.

In 1843, a uniform postage rate was introduced that equaled 10 silver kopecks for 1 lot.

[1] Under Pryanishnikov, the first Russia's postage stamp, with face value of 10 kopecks, went on sale to the public at the end of December 1857.

In 1838, mail transportation by rail began on the Russia's first railway between St. Petersburg and Tsarskoe Selo.

In 1851, the first mail-coaches appeared on the newly opened railway service between St. Petersburg and Moscow, and this also enabled the electric telegraph.

In addition, postal treaties with Austria (1843), Greece (1848), Prussia (1843), and Sweden (1846) were signed by Pryanishnikov.

[1] By the end of Pryanishnikov's service and retirement in 1863, the improvements and modernisation of Russia's postal system were in good progress.

These developments coincided with the beginning of the reign of Alexander II and were supposed to go on for the rest of the century.

The Postal Directorate began losing its pace of development as an independent government agency, and was subordinated to the control of the Ministry of the Interior.