Digital spies speculated that a “Z” written in the Roman alphabet instead of Cyrillic could indicate Moscow’s next move.
Military experts interpreted the “Z” as “za pobedi,” Russian for “for victory,” or “zapad,” for “west.” Some dubbed vehicles were painted with the emblem of “Zorro Squad”, while others suggested that the “Z” might stand for the Kremlin’s self-proclaimed “target number one”. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
But in the days since Moscow ordered a bloody attack on Ukraine, what began as a mysterious military symbol has become a sign of popular support for the war in Russia, and which analysts consider the beginning of a new nationalist movement. admit. as described.
Russians dubbed “Z” on their cars, wore black hoodies with the emblem, and carried “Z” brooches on the lapels – a sign that there is some popular support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and some for his efforts. Popular support. Expand the territory of Moscow. of influence by occupying parts of Ukraine.
Kamil Galev, an independent researcher and former fellow at the Wilson Center, a nonprofit in Washington DC, said, “The authorities launched a propaganda campaign to garner popular support for their invasion of Ukraine and they get a lot of it.” are.” Partisan policy think tank. , wrote in an extensive Twitter thread on promotional videos on social media and the use of the “Z” symbol by Russians.
“This symbol, invented a few days ago, has become a symbol of the new Russian ideology and national identity,” said Galyaev.
As the Kremlin tightens its grip on any reports of Russian casualties or trips back home – creating an extraordinary new law that makes the spread of “fake” information a crime punishable with prison terms – Putin’s supporters have increased their support. Have given. are for war.
At a hospice in Kazan, a city in Russia’s southwest Tatarstan region, children who died of cancer were asked to line up in a “Z” formation outside in the snow to show their support for the Russian military campaign.
Vavilov was referring to the separatist-occupied Luhansk People’s Republic and the Donetsk People’s Republic of Eastern Ukraine, which Putin recognized as independent states on the pretext of attacking the country last month.
The “Z” sign has also emerged among members of the Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament.
Maria Butina was convicted of trying to infiltrate major conservative political circles in the United States as an unregistered foreign agent before and after the 2016 election. She now represents the Kirov region for the pro-Putin United Russia political party, and has supported the war in posts on her Telegram channel.
“Keep working brothers. We are with you. Forever,” she said, clenching her fist in the video clip.
Correspondents reporting from Ukraine for the Russian state-owned news network Rossiya-24 sport a “Z” on a flak jacket.
And in two clever promotional videos that are circulating on social media, the young Russian Wearing black T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts with the letters “Z” and the hashtag #СвоихНеБросаем, or “We don’t give up on our (friends)”, chanting, waving Russian flags and voice support for Putin’s war : “For Russia, for the President. For Russia, for Putin!”