Z (military symbol) explained

The Latin-script letter Z (Russian: зет|p=zɛt|r=zet) is one of several symbols (including "V" and "O") painted on military vehicles of the Russian Armed Forces involved in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is speculated that the Z helps distinguish task 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 in Russian propaganda and is used by Russian civilians to indicate support for the invasion, further adopted later by Russian far-right organizations.[3] 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 a zwastika or zwaztika, in reference to the Nazi swastika, or derisively in Russian and Ukrainian as ziga (Russian: зига), in reference to Sieg Heil. Some Ukrainian officials and Internet users have referred to Russia as Ruzzia or RuZZia (Russian: Роzzия|link=no or Russian: РоZZия; Ukrainian: Роzzія|link=no or Ukrainian: РоZZія), replacing the letter S with a Z in reference to the military symbol.

Military use

Description

Various letters with corresponding meanings have been used by the Russian Armed Forces during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[4] The form of the "Z" symbol is a reproduction of the Latin letter Z, identical also to a capital Greek zeta. The "Z" symbol is used instead of the equivalent Cyrillic letter З (Ze) used in the Russian alphabet, which has been described as peculiar, considering the symbol's later association with Russian nationalism and pro-Putin politics.[5] This could be to avoid confusion with the numeral of a similar form 3, which is also used in Russia.

Purpose

Military experts think the symbols are identifying marks used to reduce friendly fire, similar to the invasion stripes used in the Normandy landings during World War II.[2] [6] Some military experts think the symbols help distinguish different Russian army groups from one another, with former Royal United Services Institute director Michael 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 the 2003 invasion of Iraq.[7] The latter theory was confirmed by Russian veteran Sergey Kuvykin, who indicated in an interview with Life 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.[8]

Russian vehicles along the Russia–Ukraine border displayed the "Z" symbol during the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis in the weeks before the invasion.[9] During the Battle of Kharkiv, locals used the "Z" symbols to identify and track Russian vehicles on Telegram.[10]

Naming

On Instagram, the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) posted on 3 March that the "Z" symbol is an abbreviation of the phrase "for victory" (Russian: за победу|za pobedu), while the "V" symbol stands for "strength is in truth" (Russian: сила в правде|sila v pravde) and "The task will be completed" (Russian: задача будет выполнена|zadacha budet vypolnena).[11] [12] [13] The MoD later suggested alternative meanings for "Z", including "For peace" (Russian: за мир|za mir), "For truth" (Russian: за правду|za pravdu), "For ours" (Russian: за наших|za nashikh), and the letter Z in words demilitarization and denazification, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has asserted to be the purpose of the invasion.[14] [15]

Another interpretation for "Z" is the Russian word for west (Russian: запад|zapad), to designate the Western Military District or west-bound infantry, with the "V" symbol similarly standing for the word for east (Russian: восток|vostok).[16] This term was used in the joint Zapad 2021 exercise between Belarus and Russia before the invasion.

Use as pro-war symbolism

Russian state

Since mid-March 2022, the "Z" began to be used by the Russian government as a pro-war propaganda motif,[17] [18] and has been appropriated by pro-Putin civilians as a symbol of support for Russia's invasion.[19] [20] Governor Sergey Tsivilyov of Kuzbass (Russian: Кузбасс) changed the name of the region to a hybrid word that replaced the lowercase Cyrillic letter з with the capital Latin letter Z (Russian: КуZбасс|KuZbass).[21] [22] The Roscosmos director general, Dmitry Rogozin, began spelling his surname as RogoZin (Russian: РогоZин),[23] [24] and ordered employees at the Russia-managed Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to mark equipment with the "Z" and "V" symbols.[25] Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels have incorporated the letter Z in their names since the beginning of the invasion,[26] and Russian telecom authority Roskomnadzor changed the handle of its Telegram channel to showcase the "Z" in its name.[27] Russian government agencies have also promoted the "Z" symbol in nationalist messages and videos on VK.[28] The 2022 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.[29] On 22 March 2022, Russia launched a Soyuz rocket with the "Z" symbol.[30]

Other

Local authorities in several parts of Russia have organized flash mobs in support of the invasion prominently featuring the symbol.[31] 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 Russian: #[[wikt:своих не бросаем|СвоихНеБросаем]] hashtag.[32] [33] In a social media video, State Duma member Maria Butina drew a "Z" on her jacket to show support for the invasion and encouraged others to do so as well.[34] Russian state-controlled broadcaster RT has sold merchandise featuring the symbol as a show of support for Russian forces, often with a texture taken from the ribbon of Saint George. Amazon sold "Z" symbol products in the UK, but took down the listings on 8 March after receiving public criticism and media inquiries.[35] [36] The "Z" symbol was also used in pro-Russian rallies in Serbia during the invasion.[37] In Venezuela, Chavista groups included the "Z" symbol in a mural in the Catia parish, in Caracas, depicting and supporting Vladimir Putin and late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.[38]

Anti-war activists in Russia have seen their property defaced with graffiti containing the "Z" symbol. Russian film critic Anton Dolin, whose door was marked with the symbol, compared the "Z" to the zombie action-horror film World War Z (2013) and described the Russian army and pro-war activists as "zombified".[39] Police officers left "Z" markings while ransacking the building of the human rights organization Memorial after its government-mandated shutdown. The apartment of a member of Pussy Riot – a protest art collective – has also been vandalized with the symbol.[40] [41]

The symbol has also been used for vandalism and propaganda purposes outside of Russia. In Moldova, unknown vandals painted the symbols "Z" and "V" over crosses at the World War II, on graves of soldiers of the Axis-aligned Romania which fought against the Soviet Union.[42] [43] In Latvia, unknown vandals spray-painted the letter "Z" twice on the Bikernieki Memorial which is dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust.[44] [45]

The Russian language search engine Yandex censored the search results for the Z symbol, not allowing symbols of Nazism to be juxtaposed with it.[46]

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.[47]

Analysis

of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars said on 7 March that the "symbol invented just a few days ago became a symbol of new Russian ideology and national identity."[48] A number of critics have described the "Z" as a variant of Nazi symbolism,[49] [50] with some comparing it to the Nazi swastika;[51] [52] the symbol has been pejoratively nicknamed by some Internet users as the zwastika and Zieg (or Ziega (Russian: Zига) in Russian) from the Nazi salute Sieg Heil (which is often called "зига" ("siega") in Russian). Some Ukrainian officials and Internet users started using the symbol to refer to Russia as Ruzzia or RuZZia. Also on 7 March, Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov condemned the use of the "Z" symbol, noting its resemblance to the name of the Station Z gas chamber of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.[53]

In Novosibirsk, independent city councillor Khelga Pirogova told RFE/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."[54] On 25 March, Russian journalist Izabella Yevloyeva was charged 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 a new law passed on 4 March, she could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.[55]

On 23 May, Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev announced that he had resigned from his position in protest over the Russian invasion of Ukraine,[56] referring to the invasion as an "aggressive war",[57] 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".[58]

International censure

By governments

By organizations

Sporting

While participating in the 2022 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup series during the invasion, Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak wore a shirt with a taped-on "Z" symbol while standing beside Ukrainian gymnast Illia Kovtun on the podium. Kovtun won the gold medal, while Kuliak won the bronze. The International 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.[78] [79] 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.[80]

Virtus.pro professional Dota 2 esports player Ivan "Pure" Moskalenko allegedly drew the "Z" on the game map during a qualifying match for the Dota Pro Circuit. After drawing criticism from the community, the team was disqualified from the circuit.[81]

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 manufacturer Dartz,[82] Zurich Insurance (which suspended the use of its logo containing an encircled "Z" on social media),[83] and Samsung Electronics (which has re-branded several Samsung Galaxy Z-brand smartphones when promoted in the Baltic states).[84] [85] 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.[86] [87]

In Lappeenranta, 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.[88]

In April 2022, Singaporean transportation company ComfortDelGro announced that they would remove the "Z" letter from its Zig Booking App in order to prevent "possible misunderstandings" with the Russian military symbol.[89]

In June 2022, Japanese low-cost airline Zipair 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.[90]

See also

Other symbols

Related ideologies

Specific uses

Notes and References

  1. News: Dean . Jeff . 9 March 2022 . The letter Z is becoming a symbol of Russia's war in Ukraine. But what does it mean? . NPR . 15 March 2022 . 15 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220315013738/https://www.npr.org/2022/03/09/1085471200/the-letter-z-russia-ukraine . live .
  2. Web site: Here's what those mysterious white 'Z' markings on Russian military equipment may mean. Schogol. Jeff. 24 February 2022. 8 March 2022. Task & Purpose. 9 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220309164231/https://taskandpurpose.com/analysis/russian-military-equipment-white-markings/. live.
  3. Marandici . Ion . 2023-12-01 . Z-Propaganda and Semiotic Resistance: Contesting Russia’s War Symbols in Moldova and Beyond . Comparative Southeast European Studies . en . 71 . 4 . 585–616 . 10.1515/soeu-2023-0024 . 2701-8202. free .
  4. Web site: Lazurkevych . Sofia . uk:Українські військові показали, як ворог маркує свою техніку . https://zaxid.net/ukrayinski_viyskovi_pokazali_yak_vorog_markuye_svoyu_tehniku_n1537191 . . 7 March 2022 . uk . 1 March 2022 . The Ukrainian military showed how the enemy marks its equipment . 5 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220305163728/https://zaxid.net/ukrayinski_viyskovi_pokazali_yak_vorog_markuye_svoyu_tehniku_n1537191 . live .
  5. News: MacFarquhar . Neil . The letter 'Z' has become a symbol for Russians who support the invasion of Ukraine. . 8 March 2022 . The New York Times . 8 March 2022 . 8 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308002119/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/07/world/europe/russia-letter-z-ivan-kuliak.html . live.
  6. Web site: Sarkar . Alisha Rahaman . Russian tanks: What do the 'Z' and other emblems on military vehicles mean . . 7 March 2022 . en . 24 February 2022 . 6 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220306232310/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russian-military-tank-marking-z-b2022276.html . live .
  7. Web site: 28 February 2022 . Theories about the mysterious 'Z' on Russian tanks in Ukraine . Roche . Calum . 7 March 2022 . . 6 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220306062831/https://en.as.com/en/2022/02/28/latest_news/1646070905_059563.html . live .
  8. Web site: Kerley . Paul . Greenall . Robert . Ukraine war: Why has 'Z' become a Russian pro-war symbol? . . 8 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307173841/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60644832 . live .
  9. Web site: Mironenko . Dmitriy . На кордоні з Україною помітили російську військову техніку з незвичайним маркуванням . Dialog.ua . 7 March 2022 . uk . 21 February 2022 . Russian military equipment with unusual markings were spotted on the border with Ukraine . 5 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220305175531/https://www.dialog.ua/ukr/war/246774_1645441351 . live .
  10. News: Khurshudyan . Isabelle . Berger . Miriam . Why Kharkiv, a city known for its poets, has become a key battleground in Ukraine . . 7 March 2022 . 28 February 2023 . 2 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220302054943/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/02/28/kharkiv-ukraine-russia-war-east/ . live .
  11. Web site: Maksimova . Kseniya . В Минобороны РФ раскрыли смысл латинских букв на российской военной технике . . 7 March 2022 . ru . 3 March 2022 . The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation revealed the meaning of Latin letters on Russian military equipment . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307074415/https://www.gazeta.ru/army/news/2022/03/03/17372431.shtml . live .
  12. Web site: Chaturvedi . Amit . Explained: What Does The "Z" Symbol On Russian Military Vehicles Mean . . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307101159/https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/explained-what-does-the-z-symbol-on-russian-military-vehicles-mean-2808239 . live .
  13. Web site: Mellor . Sophie . How the letter Z became a symbol for pro-war Russians . . 7 March 2022 . en . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307140915/https://fortune.com/2022/03/07/russia-z-tank-marking-how-letter-became-symbol-pro-ukraine-war-invasion/ . live .
  14. Web site: Finnis . Alex . What the Z means on Russian tanks, and why it has become a symbol of war . . 8 March 2022 . en . 8 March 2022 . 8 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308122742/https://inews.co.uk/news/world/z-mean-what-meaning-russian-symbol-letter-explained-tanks-ukraine-invasion-1503707 . live .
  15. Web site: McMahon . Liv . Russia-Ukraine: What Russia's Z and V war symbols mean - and why Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak wore the Z symbol . . 8 March 2022 . en . 8 March 2022 . 8 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308175034/http://www.scotsman.com/news/world/what-russias-z-and-v-war-symbols-spotted-on-tanks-and-social-media-mean-3602619 . live .
  16. Web site: 7 March 2022 . La "Z" diventata simbolo dell'invasione russa . 7 March 2022 . . it-IT . The "Z" became a symbol of the Russian invasion . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307092344/https://www.ilpost.it/2022/03/07/z-lettera-simbolo-invasione-russia-ucraina/ . live .
  17. Web site: Stieb . Matt . Danner . Chas . How the Letter Z Became a Pro-War Symbol in Russia . . 8 March 2022 . en-us . 8 March 2022 . 8 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308165533/http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/03/how-the-letter-z-became-a-pro-war-symbol-in-russia.html . live .
  18. Web site: Mac Dougall . David . Davlashyan . Naira . What do we know about the Russian pro-war Z symbol? . . 8 March 2022 . en . 8 March 2022 . 16 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220316115429/https://www.euronews.com/2022/03/08/what-do-we-know-about-the-russian-pro-war-z-symbol . live .
  19. Web site: Teh . Cheryl . Decoding the 'Z' — the mysterious Russian military symbol that's been co-opted by Russia's nationalist movement . . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . 11 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220311112358/https://www.insider.com/decoding-the-z-symbol-russia-ukraine-conflict-2022-3 . live .
  20. Web site: Kilner . James . Russia's terminally ill children line up in letter 'Z' stunt to show Kremlin support . . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307064054/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/03/07/russias-terminally-children-line-letter-z-stunt-show-kremlin/ . live .
  21. Web site: McDermott . Stephen . How the letter 'Z' became a symbol of support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine . . 8 March 2022 . en . 8 March 2022 . 8 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308152922/https://www.thejournal.ie/why-letter-z-symbol-russia-war-ukraine-5704269-Mar2022/ . live .
  22. News: Why Z is for Putin . . 8 March 2022 . 8 March 2022 . 8 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308154140/https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2022/03/08/why-z-for-putin-russia-ukraine-war . live .
  23. Web site: Staalesen . Atle . The Nazi-inspired symbol used by Russia in war against Ukraine finds way to downtown Murmansk . . 8 March 2022 . en . 7 March 2022 . 11 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220311112329/https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/security/2022/03/nazi-inspired-symbol-used-russia-war-against-ukraine-finds-way-downtown-murmansk . live .
  24. Web site: Renzi . Kamila . Una "Z" sulla porta di casa vuol dire fine della vita in Russia . . 8 March 2022 . it-IT . 7 March 2022 . A "Z" on the front door means the end of life in Russia . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307232601/https://ilmanifesto.it/una-z-sulla-porta-di-casa-vuol-dire-fine-della-vita-in-russia/ . live .
  25. Web site: Trevithick . Joseph . Russia Adorns Its Space Center's Soyuz Rocket Transporter With Ukraine Invasion Markings . The Drive . 8 March 2022 . en . 4 March 2022 . 5 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220305231924/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/44589/russia-adorns-its-space-centers-soyuz-rocket-transporter-with-ukraine-invasion-markings . live .
  26. Web site: Ling . Justin . Russia Launches Social Media Offensive Alongside Missiles . . 7 March 2022 . 24 February 2022 . 6 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220306155526/https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/02/24/russia-ukraine-attack-social-media-telegram/ . live .
  27. Web site: 8 March 2022. Why has 'Z' been embraced by supporters of Russia's Ukraine war?. 8 March 2022. Al Jazeera. 9 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220309061645/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/8/why-has-z-been-embraced-by-supporters-of-russias-ukraine-war. live.
  28. Web site: Hooper . Cynthia . Russia's information war: painful truths vs. comfortable lies . . 11 March 2022 . 9 March 2022 . 10 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220310222035/https://thebulletin.org/2022/03/russias-information-war-painful-truths-vs-comfortable-lies/ . live .
  29. Web site: MacDiarmid . Campbell . Syrian fighters wield 'Z' signs as Russia sends foreign fighters to front line . . 11 March 2022 . 11 March 2022 . 11 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220311121233/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/03/11/syrian-fighters-wield-z-signs-russia-sends-foreign-fighters/ . live .
  30. Web site: Soyuz rocket takes off featuring letter Z. Euronews. 23 March 2022.
  31. Web site: Sauer . Pjotr . Why has the letter Z become the symbol of war for Russia? . The Guardian . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307165610/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/07/why-has-the-letter-z-become-the-symbol-of-war-for-russia . live .
  32. Web site: Mackintosh . Eliza . Why Russians are using a 'Z' symbol to support the war in Ukraine . . 8 March 2022 . 8 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307235720/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/07/europe/russia-z-symbol-ukraine-war-cmd-intl/index.html . live .
  33. Web site: Davis . Barney . Why has Z become a symbol of Russian aggression and what does it mean? . . 8 March 2022 . en . 8 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307220108/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/why-what-z-russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-symbol-meaning-b986414.html . live .
  34. Web site: Controlling the narrative: Russia tightens grip on media amid war . 8 March 2022 . 8 March 2022 . www.aljazeera.com . en . . 8 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308070756/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/8/controlling-narrative-russia-tightens-grip-media-amid-war . live .
  35. Web site: Sharma . Ruchira . Amazon hastily stops selling T-shirt with pro-Russian invasion 'Z' symbol on them . . 10 March 2022 . en . 8 March 2022 . 9 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220309105815/https://inews.co.uk/news/amazon-t-shirts-z-symbol-russia-invasion-ukraine-1503904 . live .
  36. Web site: France . Anthony . Amazon slammed for flogging T-Shirts with pro-Russian Z symbol . . 10 March 2022 . en . 8 March 2022 . 8 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308134751/http://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/amazon-russian-ukraine-t-shirts-z-symbol-b986700.html . live .
  37. Web site: In Serbia, pro-Russia is seen as the winning election stance. The Associated Press. 2022-04-01.
  38. Web site: 2022-04-04 . "Queremos darle las gracias a Rusia": pintan mural de Putin en bastión chavista de Caracas . 2022-04-05 . . Spanish.
  39. Web site: Gershkovich . Evan . Matthew . Matthew . How the Letter Z Became a Russian Pro-War Symbol . . 8 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307235037/https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-the-letter-z-became-a-russian-pro-war-symbol-11646675508 . live .
  40. Gessen . Masha . Masha Gessen . "Z" Is the Symbol of the New Russian Politics of Aggression . . 8 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307233117/https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/z-is-the-symbol-of-the-new-russian-politics-of-aggression . live .
  41. News: Kishkovsky . Sophia . Russian pro-war symbol 'Z' sprayed onto Pussy Riot member's door . . 8 March 2022 . 8 March 2022 . 8 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308122643/https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/03/08/russian-pro-war-symbol-z-sprayed-onto-pussy-riot-members-door . live .
  42. https://balkaninsight.com/2022/04/11/vandals-scrawl-russian-war-symbols-on-romanian-cemetery-in-moldova/ Vandals Scrawl Russian War Symbols on Romanian Cemetery in Moldova
  43. News: Rusofonii din Republica Moldova au vandalizat Cimitirul Eroilor Români cu literele 'V' și 'Z', care reprezintă simbolurile agresiunii Rusiei în Ucraina. Bogdan. Antonescu. Știri pe surse. 9 April 2022. ro.
  44. Web site: Biķernieki Holocaust memorial vandalism under investigation . 23 February 2023 . . 6 March 2023.
  45. Web site: Freidenfelds . Dāvids . Anstrate . Vita . Rīga Holocaust memorial vandalized again . 28 February 2023 . . 6 March 2023.
  46. Web site: Russia's Google, Yandex, Fixes Results So 'Bald Fucker' and 'Bunker Grandad' Reportedly Won't Show Putin. Daily Beast. 2023-01-31.
  47. Web site: 'Z' Marks The Trouble Spot: Russia's Symbol Of War Appears In Northern Kosovo. REF/RL. 2023-05-31.
  48. News: 7 March 2022 . A Russian gymnast wore a 'Z' when standing by a Ukrainian champ. In Russia, it symbolizes support for the invasion. . Edwards . Jonathan . 7 March 2022 . The Washington Post . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307171824/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/03/07/russian-gymnast-ivan-kuliak-white-z-ukraine-invasion-symbol/ . live .
  49. Web site: Kerley . Paul . Ivan Kuliak: Why has 'Z' become a Russian pro-war symbol? . BBC . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307173841/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60644832 . live .
  50. Web site: Nadeau . Barbie Latza . Putin's World War Z Has Created a New Swastika . . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307121835/https://www.thedailybeast.com/vladimir-putins-world-war-z-has-created-a-new-swastika . live .
  51. Web site: Sheets . Megan . World War 'Z': What's the meaning behind Russian propaganda symbol? . . 8 March 2022 . 8 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307212445/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-military-symbol-z-b2030514.html . live .
  52. Web site: Quetteville . Harry de . How Russia's 'Z' symbol could become the next swastika . . 8 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307220829/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/03/07/russias-z-could-become-next-swastika/ . live .
  53. Web site: Russia uses Nazi signs on its vehicles - Reznikov . . 7 March 2022 . en . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307121107/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/808800.html . live.
  54. News: Special Operation Z: Moscow's Pro-War Symbol Conquers Russia -- And Sets Alarm Bells Ringing . Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty . 17 March 2022.
  55. News: Russia: Authorities launch witch-hunt to catch anyone sharing anti-war views . Amnesty International . 30 March 2022.
  56. News: 115 Russian national guard soldiers sacked for refusing to fight in Ukraine . The Guardian . 27 May 2022.
  57. Web site: 'Ashamed' of war, Russian diplomat resigns. USA Today. 23 May 2022.
  58. Web site: 'Ashamed' Top Russian Diplomat Leaves United Nations Over Putin's 'Warmongering'. Barbie Latza. Nadeau. . 23 May 2022.
  59. Web site: Vrabec . Pavel . Písmeno "Z" chce policie posuzovat jako svastiku . . 10 March 2022 . 8 March 2022 . cs . The police want to judge the letter "Z" as a swastika . 10 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220310174715/https://neovlivni.cz/pismeno-z-chce-policie-posuzovat-jako-svastiku/ . live .
  60. Web site: Tucker . Maxim . Gosling . Tim . Amazon sells clothes with Russian military Z symbol . 10 March 2022 . https://archive.today/20220309004011/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/amazon-sells-clothes-with-russian-military-z-symbol-g306c8vwd . 9 March 2022 . en . 8 March 2022 . . subscription . live .
  61. Web site: Estonia joins other Baltic states in banning pro-Russia war symbols . April 21, 2022 . The Nomad Today.
  62. Web site: Georgian opposition initiates banning the use of symbols of Russian aggression .
  63. Web site: Für russisches "Z"-Zeichen drohen rechtliche Konsequenzen . 25 March 2022 . . de.
  64. News: German states outlaw display of Russia's 'Z' war symbol . 26 March 2022 . The Local.
  65. Web site: 28 March 2022 . Russlands Kriegssymbol: Zeigen des "Z"-Symbols kann strafbar sein . Tagesschau . de.
  66. Web site: Keine "Z"-Kennzeichen mehr im Kreis Herford . No more "Z" license plates in the Herford district . 4 February 2023 . WDR . 8 April 2022 . de.
  67. Web site: Polovinko . Vyacheslav . ru:Как достать соседей . https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2022/03/08/kak-dostat-sosedei . . 12 March 2022 . ru . 8 March 2022 . How to annoy the neighbors . 12 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220312173822/https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2022/03/08/kak-dostat-sosedei . live .
  68. Web site: ru:Автомобили с буквой Z замечены в Уральске и Шымкенте . https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/avtomobili-s-bukvoy-z-zamechenyi-v-uralske-i-shyimkente-463563/ . . 7 March 2022 . ru . 5 March 2022 . Cars with the letter Z seen in Uralsk and Shymkent . 6 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220306231539/https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/avtomobili-s-bukvoy-z-zamechenyi-v-uralske-i-shyimkente-463563/ . live .
  69. Web site: Lykova . Nadezhda . ru:Авто с наклейкой Z: водителя оштрафовали в Нур-Султане . https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/avto-s-nakleykoy-z-voditelya-oshtrafovali-v-nur-sultane-463253/ . . 7 March 2022 . ru . 1 March 2022 . Car with Z sticker: driver fined in Nur-Sultan . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307160828/https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/avto-s-nakleykoy-z-voditelya-oshtrafovali-v-nur-sultane-463253/ . live .
  70. News: Saeima bans symbols of Putin's invasion . . 31 March 2022 . 31 March 2022.
  71. News: Latvia bans use of symbols of war propaganda . . . 31 March 2022 . 31 March 2022.
  72. Web site: Lithuania bans symbols of Russia's war against Ukraine . . 19 April 2022 . 18 September 2022.
  73. News: (video) Panglica Sf. Gheorghe, "V, Z" și alte simboluri ale războiului, interzise în Moldova: PAS a votat legea în prima lectură. Unimedia. 7 April 2022. ro.
  74. Web site: Ustawa z dnia 13 kwietnia 2022 r. o szczególnych rozwiązaniach w zakresie przeciwdziałania wspieraniu agresji na Ukrainę oraz służących ochronie bezpieczeństwa narodowego . 2022-04-23 . isap.sejm.gov.pl . pl.
  75. Web site: Paweł Mering . Propagowanie litery Z jest przestępstwem. 2022-04-23 . Bezprawnik . 19 April 2022. pl.
  76. News: Ukraine parliament bans Russian war symbols . 2022-05-23 . 2022-05-23 . Reuters.com.
  77. News: Ukraine's parliament bans Russian symbols used for promoting war . 2022-05-22 . 2022-05-23 . msn.com.
  78. Web site: 'Shocking behaviour': Russian gymnast shows 'Z' symbol on podium next to Ukrainian winner . . 7 March 2022 . en . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307011413/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/07/shocking-behaviour-russian-gymnast-shows-z-symbol-on-podium-next-to-ukrainian-winner . live .
  79. Web site: Russian gymnast faces disciplinary action after showing Z symbol . . 7 March 2022 . en . 7 March 2022 . 7 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220307062949/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/7/russia-kuliak-faces-disciplinary-action-after-showing-z-symbol . live .
  80. Web site: Russian gymnast sanctioned with one year ban by the Disciplinary Commission. May 17, 2022. International Gymnastics Federation.
  81. Web site: Esanu . Andreea . [UPDATE] Outsiders disqualified after Pure draws pro-Russian invasion of Ukraine symbol ]. 29 April 2022 . GosuGamers. 29 April 2022 .
  82. Web site: Ruffo . Gustavo Henrique . 9 March 2022 . Z Is Now Too Toxic to Use Anywhere – Including in the Automotive World . 30 March 2022 . autoevolution . en.
  83. News: 26 March 2022. Zurich Insurance removes Z symbol after letter used to show support for Ukraine war . . 27 March 2022.
  84. Web site: 29 March 2022 . Samsung drops the 'Z' branding from foldables, since Russia ruined it . 29 March 2022 . Android Police . en-US.
  85. Web site: SamMobile . Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 rebranded in some Baltic countries . 29 March 2022 . SamMobile. 29 March 2022 .
  86. Web site: Ocado to redesign Zoom logo after it draws 'Zwastika' comparisons. 24 March 2022. The Guardian.
  87. Web site: Ocado drops its Zoom logo due to Russian 'zwastika' likeness . The Drum.
  88. Web site: Hassan . Mahadi . Finnish city removes 'Z' from bus routes . Oops Top . 3 June 2022 . 12 June 2022.
  89. Web site: Choo . Daryl . ComfortDelGro apologises for 'Z' logo, says similarity to symbol backing Russia's Ukraine invasion unintended . TODAY . 9 October 2022 . en . 25 April 2022.
  90. Web site: Japanese airline ditches "Z" logo to avoid misunderstanding. 16 June 2022. Kyodo News. 16 June 2022.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Z (military symbol)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.