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.
— Roman Motychak (@motytchak) March 15, 2022
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
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.
