Since the beginning of the Russian intervention in Ukraine, the letter "Z" has emerged prominently on Russian military tanks, appearing on cars, the chests of gymnasts, and even on women's nail polish. The Russian Ministry of Defense has utilized the letter in various messages on its Instagram and Telegram pages: "Za pobedu" (For victory), "Za mir" (For peace), "Za pravdu" (For truth), and "Za Rossiyu" (For Russia).
Additionally, local media published an aerial photo of about sixty sick children and their families, along with the doctors and nurses caring for them, forming the letter "Z" in a snow-covered courtyard of a care home in Kazan, Tatarstan. A few days later, 20-year-old Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak stood on the third step of the podium at the Gymnastics World Cup, displaying the letter "Z" on his chest, while an athlete from Ukraine stood on the first step. The International Gymnastics Federation responded by calling for "disciplinary actions against Kuliak for his shocking behavior." The young athlete told Russian media that he was ready to do "the same thing again: I saw our soldiers wearing it and looked at what the symbol means... I wanted to express my position. As an athlete, I will always fight for victory and play for peace."
Among the theories proposed about the meaning of "Z," there is also a very slim possibility that it is the first letter of the word "zapad," meaning "west" in Russian, referring to the armed forces of the western region of the country. Finally, some have pointed out that it could be the first letter of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's name.
Regardless, from politicians to celebrities and some influencers on social media, everyone wants to display and flaunt the letter "Z," which has become a symbol of loyalty to the Kremlin. For instance, the Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor incorporated a large "Z" into its name on Telegram.
In many Russian regions, including remote areas, impromptu gatherings and other demonstrations of support under the slogan "We do not abandon our children" have increased, featuring women's choruses singing while displaying the letter "Z," taxis featuring "Z" on their windows, or cars parked in a way creating a shape of the letter "Z." A resident of Donetsk, a Russian-backed separatist city in eastern Ukraine, posted on Instagram a picture of her black-painted nails with a white "Z." In Bryansk in the south, a massive letter "Z" was formed in the snow with orange and brown colors, which are the colors of the St. George ribbon, a symbol of military valor.
Businesspeople quickly caught on to the idea and began designing shirts bearing the "Z" logo, which are now sold online. In contrast, the symbols of the anti-military intervention camp are less visible in the public space, although small protests occur daily despite the bans. Sometimes peaceful slogans are painted on walls in Moscow, but they are swiftly erased.
