Explaining Russia’s Use Of Letter Z As Pro-War Symbol

Videos and photos posted on social media of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine show the letter Z appearing on Russian military vehicles. It’s being used as a symbol of support for Russian President Putin’s military actions. Savannah Sellers explains how NBC News’ social newsgathering team verified these photos and videos seen on social media.

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[TheSaintBigFoot]

So essentially you don't know what it actually means lol

[MAG]

Z: Russian forces from the Eastern Military District
Z (enclosed in square): Russian forces from Crimea
O: Forces from Belarus
V: Marines
X: Forces from Chechnya (Kadyrovtsy)
A: Special forces, including SOBR, Alpha Group, and the Special Operations Forces

If yall been paying attention to previous YouTube videos, they have this posted.

[KingBanter]

Thanks to the comment section for explaining it .
NBC didn’t explain it at all just showed it to us a few times then proved what street it was on.
Amazing work NBC .. amazing

[aresnir]

It seems that for NBC it's very hard to find information on Google. First vehicles with Z on them were captured on video inside Russia, even before start of invasion. Now, this symbol is widely used in Russia as support for Russian military in Ukraine. It painted on t-shirts, on cars, on walls and banners.

[cliffwork]

I am actually dumber after watching this video, should have known better coming from NBC

[chrisjordan]

The Z is only there to identify Russian vehicles to avoid friendly fire situations. No mystery meaning.

[kewlztertc]

The letter "S" was already taken.
"Z" means end. It's a message to the west. The last letter of the western alphabet, the end.

[jeffreykoski]

Your all missing it. World War Z! Have you ever seen it... ...ZOMBIES! These are nothing but Zombies from Russia!

[justinparsons]

A non sensical report. Useless information. Just poor

[imafarmer]

One Z vertical, one Z horizontal over it and you’ve got a new swastika

[__Andrew_]

I do hope this isn’t representative of the best analysis American viewers are getting.

[victoriatorres]

Z stand for zoom Putin thought he was going to zoom through Ukraine but he was mistaken 😝

[ErikS-]

That is what they say several weeks after the invasion.
At the beginning of the buildup of the russian troops, the "z" was used for troops on the east. "O" and "V" from belarus.

[yourstruly]

It wasn't meant to mean pro war, and I think you know that already.

[robleonard]

They have a "Z"....
WE HAVE "🖕" .. Enough said

[AA-ak]

Z means (Za) ( For it/ For that/ For the) for the “demilitarization and denazification” of the country (they mean Ukraine).

The full global meaning of the letter Z is - that this war is for demilitarization (no NATO and BioWeapons in Ukraine) and denazification (no neo-nazi groups like Azov which target Russian speaking people in Ukraine).

[padraigomadain]

The Fox presenters are more eloquent and elegant.

[louisebean]

The letter Z on Russian military vehicles stands for asleep at the wheel!

[jennifermcfate]

The letter z provably stands for zelenski

[JMichael-xcuu]

The Z is derived from the Russian leader’s nickname - Putz- which of course is the affectionate nickname for Putin