Z has become the most important symbol of the war in Russia. The Z-shaped letter was first spotted on Russian tanks and military trucks massed on the Ukrainian border. It quickly started to appear on social media, Z merchandise is sold to support Russian troops, flashmobs of people standing in Z formation have been organised by Russian authorities and the Z has been used as an intimidation tactic against those who oppose the war, painted on doors and walls..
The theory used by military experts to explain the letters is that they were written according to the respective areas where the Russian troops are usually stationed, with Z potentially standing for Zapad (west). The Russian defense ministry posted on its Instagram channel that Z meant Za pobedu (“for victory”).
The Z is the symbol of the new Russian totalitarianism. Some Russians have ridiculed it though, protesters have used signs with the word Zachen (For what?) and memes satirizing Z are spread on the internet.
Sources:
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/07/why-has-the-letter-z-become-the-symbol-of-war-for-russia
The New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/z-is-the-symbol-of-the-new-russian-politics-of-aggression
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