Pro-war “Z” symbol has been seen across Russia – but what does it mean?

Published

4 years ago

March 21, 2022

Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, a little-known symbol has gradually creeped into Russia’s arsenal of propaganda tools

The Latin letter ‘Z’ was first seen smeared on Russian military vehicles as they entered Ukrainian territory.

Analysts initially believed the symbol was being used to distinguish between forces and to indicate what district tanks were coming from, but it has since been seen in many other instances.

#RussianNazism on full display.

no, my dear western experts, this is not "only putin" to blame for all those atrocities and for the utter ongoing #GenocideOfUkrainians.

looks like all russians are responsible for this…

pretty much all of them. pic.twitter.com/QCstRkK814
— Roman Motychak (@motytchak) March 15, 2022

Increasingly, ‘Z’ is becoming a pro-war symbol – one that shows support for the military, for the Kremlin’s policies, and for Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

The letter has historically had mythical associations but has quickly morphed into what some are calling, a stylised semi-swastika.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence has explained the symbol to stand ‘For Victory’.

Moscow’s concert in Luzhniki stadium displayed wide support for Z and the Kremlin

During a concert in Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium, Putin appeared in front of a podium that read, “For a world without Nazism”.

He addressed Kremlin’s forces saying “shoulder to shoulder, they help and support each other”, praising Russians for the “unity” within the country.

President #Putin to the crowd in Luzhniki stadium: To save people from genocide is the main motive of the operation that we launched in Donbass and Ukraine. The words from the holy Scripture come to my mind: "There is no greater love than if someone gave his soul for his friends. pic.twitter.com/YuIFcKNG96
— The Eurasianist ☦️ (@Russ_Warrior) March 18, 2022

“There is no greater love than giving up one’s soul for one’s friends,” Mr Putin says.

The concert marked the eight anniversary of Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, showcasing dozens of Russian singers and celebrities.

Over 200,000 people attended the event with videos showing the crowd chanting “Russia!” while waving the country’s flag.

Multiple Telegram channels have reported that some students and employees in attendance were pressured by their employers to attend the concert, although this has not been independently verified.

BBC journalist Will Vernon interviewed attendees after the concert finished and says many seemed embarrassed to be there.

Students told us they had been given the option of a day off from lectures if they attended 'a concert.' Some of them didn't even know that the event was dedicated, in part, to support for Russian forces in Ukraine.
— Will Vernon (@BBCWillVernon) March 18, 2022

Russian barred from calling the invasion a ‘war’

The Kremlin has since banned Russians from calling Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a war, instead labelling it a “special operation”.

Russia’s English state-owned channel, RT, has officially been calling the war in Ukraine “Special Operation Z” and advertising t-shirts with the Z symbol.

One online shop based in Russia has been selling a myriad of products displaying the Z logo, including window stickers for cars.

Many within Russia and abroad have condemned the symbol, which they see as a fascistic emblem of state-mandated blind loyalty and a militarised society.

SpaceX IPO could make Elon Musk’s Mars dream a trillion-dollar reality

SpaceX’s upcoming IPO could raise $25 billion and value the company over $1 trillion, igniting investor excitement for Mars missions.

Published

15 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Harvey Vargas

SpaceX’s upcoming IPO could raise $25 billion and value the company over $1 trillion, igniting investor excitement for Mars missions.

Investors are buzzing as SpaceX gears up for a potential IPO, aiming to raise more than $25 billion, possibly as soon as June. The offering could value the company at over $1 trillion, fueling Musk’s ambitious plans for Mars and beyond.

Despite the high-risk nature of space ventures, demand from retail investors is expected to be strong. Experts predict this IPO could become historic, with the company’s market value potentially soaring past $2 trillion once it launches.

Musk’s unconventional management style hasn’t slowed investor enthusiasm, even amidst regulatory hurdles. The funds raised could also support groundbreaking innovations, including energy-efficient space data centers.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#SpaceX #ElonMusk #IPO #MarsMission #Investing #StockMarket #TrillionDollar #SpaceTech

News

Russia shoots down 280+ Ukrainian drones as Zelenskyy pushes new peace plan

Russia claims 280 Ukrainian drones shot down; Zelenskyy finalizes a new peace proposal amid rising tensions and military clashes.

Published

15 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Russia claims 280 Ukrainian drones shot down; Zelenskyy finalizes a new peace proposal amid rising tensions and military clashes.

Russia’s Defence Ministry claims it has shot down over 280 Ukrainian drones, with 40 intercepted near Moscow, some targeting the city directly. Emergency services responded to debris, and temporary flight restrictions were enforced at Moscow’s airports amid the attacks.

Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy revealed his team is finalizing a revised 20-point peace proposal, introducing new ideas on territorial control. Ukrainian and American officials are set to consult online, focusing on security guarantees rather than the detailed points of the plan.

As tensions rise, both military clashes and diplomatic efforts continue to shape the future of the conflict. Keep up with the latest updates and expert analysis on these unfolding events.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#UkraineConflict #RussiaUkraine #Zelenskyy #DroneAttack #PeacePlan #Moscow #WorldNews #TickerUpdates

News

Disney invests $1B in OpenAI to generate Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar videos

Disney invests $1 billion in OpenAI for AI-generated videos featuring iconic characters, enhancing fan interactions and launching in 2026.

Published

16 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Disney invests $1 billion in OpenAI for AI-generated videos featuring iconic characters, enhancing fan interactions and launching in 2026.

Disney is taking AI to the next level, investing $1 billion in OpenAI to create a licensing deal that allows users to generate videos featuring more than 200 characters from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar. This partnership could redefine how fans interact with their favorite characters.

The deal will let users stream short AI-generated videos directly on Disney+, and ChatGPT will also produce images of Disney’s licensed characters. However, the agreement excludes talent likenesses or voices, keeping human performances separate.

Set to launch in 2026, the collaboration also gives Disney warrants to purchase additional OpenAI equity and use AI tools for product development, opening doors to new creative opportunities.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker