Symbols used on Russian military vehicles during the Russian invasion of Ukraine
TheLatin-script letterZ (Russian:зет,romanized:zet,IPA:[zɛt]) is one of several symbols (including "V" and "O") painted on military vehicles of theRussian Armed Forces involved in theRussian invasion of Ukraine. It is speculated that the Z helps distinguishtask forces from one another and serves as an identifier to avoid friendly fire;[1][2] however, Russian officials have claimed various meanings for the symbol.
Due to its association with the war in Ukraine, the Z has become a militarist symbol inRussian propaganda and is used by Russian civilians to indicate support for the invasion,[9] further adopted later by Russian far-right organizations.[10][additional citation(s) needed] The symbol has subsequently been banned from public display in various countries, and its use has been criminalized by several European governments. Opponents of the war have pejoratively called the Z symbol azwastika orzwaztika, in reference to theNaziswastika,[16] or derisively in Russian and Ukrainian asziga (Russian: зига), in reference toSieg Heil.[20] Some Ukrainian officials and Internet users have referred to Russia asRuzzia orRuZZia (Russian:Роzzия orРоZZия; Ukrainian:Роzzія orРоZZія),[25] replacing the letter S with a Z in reference to the military symbol.
Military use
Description
Russian military vehicles inscribed with a Z (and Z-boxed)
Various letters with corresponding meanings have been used by theRussian Armed Forces during theRussian invasion of Ukraine.[26] The form of the "Z" symbol is a reproduction of theLatin letter Z, identical also to a capital Greekzeta. The "Z" symbol is used instead of the equivalentCyrillic letter З (Ze) used in theRussian alphabet, which has been described as peculiar, considering the symbol's later association withRussian nationalism and pro-Putin politics.[27] This could be to avoid confusion with the numeral of a similar form 3, which is also used in Russia.
Purpose
Some of the other letters inscribed by the Russian military on their vehicles including a V, an O, and an O with a diagonal stroke.
Military experts think the symbols are identifying marks used to reducefriendly fire, similar to theinvasion stripes used in theNormandy landings duringWorld War II.[2][28] Some military experts think the symbols help distinguish different Russian army groups from one another, with formerRoyal United Services Institute directorMichael Clarke saying that "often these symbols will be location-based: they will communicate where the unit is going" and pointing to the U.S. military's use of chevrons during the2003 invasion of Iraq.[29] The latter theory was confirmed by Russian veteran Sergey Kuvykin, who indicated in an interview withLife that symbols including "a 'Z' in a square, a 'Z' in a circle, a 'Z' with a star or simply 'Z' on its own" have been used to tell teams apart.[30]
Since mid-March 2022, the "Z" began to be used by theRussian government as a pro-warpropaganda motif,[9][41][42] and has been appropriated by pro-Putin civilians as a symbol of support for Russia's invasion.[39][43] GovernorSergey Tsivilyov ofKuzbass (Russian:Кузбасс) changed the name of the region to ahybrid word that replaced the lowercase Cyrillic letter з with the capital Latin letter Z (Russian:КуZбасс,romanized: KuZbass).[44][45] TheRoscosmos director general,Dmitry Rogozin, began spelling his surname asRogoZin (Russian:РогоZин),[7][46] and ordered employees at the Russia-managedBaikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to mark equipment with the "Z" and "V" symbols.[47] Pro-KremlinTelegram channels have incorporated the letter Z in their names since the beginning of the invasion,[48] and Russian telecom authorityRoskomnadzor changed the handle of its Telegram channel to showcase the "Z" in its name.[49] Russian government agencies have also promoted the "Z" symbol in nationalist messages and videos onVK.[50] The2022 Moscow rally, held on 18 March 2022, which was used by president Putin to drum up support for the war, was officially called in Russia "For a world without Nazism" (Russian: «Zа мир без нацизма»), with Latin Z replacing Russian З.Syrian soldiers contracted by Russia to join the invasion raised "Z" symbol posters while cheering in videos aired by Russian state media.[51] On 22 March 2022, Russia launched aSoyuz rocket with the "Z" symbol.[52]
"Z" in ribbon of Saint George colors with hashtag #СвоихНеБросаем (#SvoikhNeBrosaem; "We don't abandon our own")[27]
Other
Local authorities in several parts of Russia have organizedflash mobs in support of the invasion prominently featuring the symbol.[54] On social media, propaganda videos have been shared depicting flash mobs consisting of pro-war youth activists wearing black shirts decorated with the "Z" symbol and shouting, "For Russia, for Putin!", alongside the#СвоихНеБросаем (transl. we do not abandon our own)hashtag.[55][56] In a social media video,State Duma memberMaria Butina drew a "Z" on her jacket to show support for the invasion and encouraged others to do so as well.[57] Russian state-controlled broadcasterRT has sold merchandise featuring the symbol as a show of support for Russian forces, often with a texture taken from theribbon of Saint George.[54]Amazon sold "Z" symbol products in the UK,[58] but took down the listings on 8 March after receiving public criticism and media inquiries.[59][60] The "Z" symbol was also used in pro-Russian rallies in Serbia during the invasion.[61] In Venezuela,Chavista groups included the "Z" symbol in a mural in the Catia parish, inCaracas, depicting and supporting Vladimir Putin and late Venezuelan PresidentHugo Chávez.[62]
A mural "Z" symbol in support of Russia's war against Ukraine with an inscription "Russians and Serbs brothers forever", inBelgrade,Serbia
Anti-war activists in Russia have seen their property defaced withgraffiti containing the "Z" symbol. Russian film criticAnton Dolin, whose door was marked with the symbol, compared the "Z" to thezombie action-horror filmWorld War Z (2013) and described the Russian army and pro-war activists as "zombified".[63] Police officers left "Z" markings while ransacking the building of the human rights organizationMemorial after its government-mandated shutdown.[64] The apartment of a member ofPussy Riot – a protest art collective – has also been vandalized with the symbol.[64][65]
The symbol has also been used for vandalism and propaganda purposes outside of Russia. InMoldova, unknown vandals painted the symbols "Z" and "V" over crosses at the World War IIChișinău Heroes' Cemetery [ro], on graves of soldiers of the Axis-aligned Romania which fought against the Soviet Union.[66][67] InLatvia, unknown vandals spray-painted the letter "Z" twice on theBikernieki Memorial which is dedicated to the victims ofthe Holocaust.[68][69]
The Russian language search engineYandex censored the search results for the Z symbol, not allowing symbols ofNazism to be juxtaposed with it.[70]
During the unrest in North Kosovo in 2023, where Serbs are in the majority, the "Z" symbol was painted on Kosovo police and NATO peacekeepers' vehicles.[71]
Analysis
A pro-Russian protester wearing a "Z" t-shirt at a "Rally for Australian Neutrality", inSydney
Kamil Galeev of theWoodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars said on 7 March 2022 that the "symbol invented just a few days ago became a symbol of new Russian ideology and national identity."[72] A number of critics have described the "Z" as a variant ofNazi symbolism,[38][73] with some comparing it to theNazi swastika;[8][74] the symbol has been pejoratively nicknamed by some Internet users as thezwastika[16] andZieg (orZiega (Russian:Zига) in Russian) from the Nazi saluteSieg Heil (which is often called "зига" ("siega") in Russian).[20] Some Ukrainian officials and Internet users started using the symbol to refer to Russia as Ruzzia or RuZZia.[25] Also on 7 March, Ukrainian Minister of DefenseOleksii Reznikov condemned the use of the "Z" symbol, noting its resemblance to the name of the Station Zgas chamber of theSachsenhausen concentration camp.[75]
InNovosibirsk, independent city councillor Khelga Pirogova toldRFE/RL's Siberia.Realities: "I have been getting rather a lot of messages from residents who are asking that something be done about this symbol. They don't like it. It arouses in them anxiety, fear, and other negative emotions."[76]On 25 March 2022, Russian journalist Izabella Yevloyeva wascharged under Russia's"false information" law after sharing a post on social media that described the "Z" symbol as being "synonymous with aggression, death, pain and shameless manipulation". Under anew law passed on 4 March, she could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.[77]
On 23 May 2022, Russian diplomatBoris Bondarev announced that he had resigned from his position in protest over the Russian invasion of Ukraine,[78] referring to the invasion as an "aggressive war",[79] saying that it was not only a crime against the Ukrainian people, but also "the most serious crime against the people of Russia, with a bold letter Z crossing out all hopes and prospects for a prosperous free society in our country".[80]
Czech Republic – as part of a ban on publicly supporting the invasion, theMinistry of the Interior has classified the "Z" symbol as an equivalent to theswastika.[81][58]
Estonia – in April 2022, a ban was issued by theRiigikogu.[82]
Georgia – the ban of symbols is proposed byLelo for Georgia opposition party.[83]
Kazakhstan – the military symbols are prohibited from being shown on vehicles in public, with the WKO Police Department explicitly stating that "Z", "V", and "O" symbols are not permitted.[88][58][89][90]
Kyrgyzstan – police departments have restricted the "Z" symbol from being displayed on vehicles in public.[58]
Latvia – theSaeima has added the "Z" and "V" symbols to a list of banned political symbols, like the previously listedswastika andhammer and sickle,[91][92] because they glorify military aggression and war crimes.
Lithuania – on 19 April 2022, Lithuania banned the "Z" and "V" symbols together with theribbon of Saint George.[93]
Moldova – since 7 April 2022, the symbols "Z" and "V" and the ribbon of Saint George are banned in Moldova.[94]
Poland – from 13 April 2022, "whoever uses or promotes symbols or names supporting the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine shall be liable to a fine, restriction of liberty or imprisonment for up to 2 years".[95][96]
Ukraine – on 22 May 2022, theVerkhovna Rada banned the symbols "Z" and "V" used to promote the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but agreed with PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy to allow their use for educational or historical purposes.[97][98]
By organizations
Sporting
While participating in the2022 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup series during the invasion, Russian gymnastIvan Kuliak wore a shirt with a taped-on "Z" symbol while standing beside Ukrainian gymnastIllia Kovtun on thepodium. Kovtun won thegold medal, while Kuliak won thebronze. TheInternational Gymnastics Federation (FIG) denounced Kuliak's "shocking behaviour" and stated that it would request "disciplinary proceedings" against Kuliak from the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation. On 7 March, the FIG banned Russian and Belarusian gymnasts and officials from taking part in its competitions.[99][100] On 17 May the FIG sanctioned Kuliak with a one-year ban, ending May 17, 2023 or six months after the ban on Russian athletes is lifted and ruled that he is to be stripped of his bronze medal and prize money.[101]
Virtus.pro professionalDota 2 esports player Ivan "Pure" Moskalenko allegedly drew the "Z" on the game map during a qualifying match for theDota Pro Circuit. After drawing criticism from the community, the team was disqualified from the circuit.[102]
Business
For sensitivity reasons, several companies have voluntarily removed uses of the letter Z from logos and product names, even if they predate the invasion, including Latvian armored vehicle manufacturerDartz,[103]Zurich Insurance (which suspended the use of its logo containing an encircled "Z" onsocial media),[104] andSamsung Electronics (which has re-branded severalSamsung Galaxy Z-brand smartphones when promoted in theBaltic states).[105][106] In March 2022,Ocado launched a new sub-division called Zoom, which had a 'Z' logo that had to be changed, after social media users said it looked like the Russian symbol.[107][108]
InLappeenranta, Finland, after receiving complaints by local residents, a transport company decided to change the "Z" route of its buses into "X", to avoid associations with the Russian invasion of Ukraine due to the Z letter being used in Russian propaganda.[109]
In April 2022, Singaporean transportation companyComfortDelGro announced that they would remove the "Z" letter from its Zig Booking App in order to prevent "possible misunderstandings" with the Russian military symbol.[110]
In June 2022, Japanese low-cost airlineZipair Tokyo announced that the large letter "Z" on the tail of all its planes would be replaced with a green geometric pattern to avoid confusion with the Russian military symbol.[111]
^Polovinko, Vyacheslav (8 March 2022).Как достать соседей [How to annoy the neighbors].Novaya Gazeta (in Russian).Archived from the original on 12 March 2022. Retrieved12 March 2022.
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![Residents of Khabarovsk, including Young Guard of United Russia members, arranged in a "Z" formation, as organized by the city administration and the United Russia party[53]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aZ_symbol_flash_mob_at_Platinum_Arena_in_Khabarovsk_(cropped).jpg)
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!["Z" in ribbon of Saint George colors with hashtag #СвоихНеБросаем (#SvoikhNeBrosaem; "We don't abandon our own")[27]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aLetter_Z_in_the_colours_of_the_Russian_Ribbon_of_Saint_George_withHashtag.svg)
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