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Russia’s ‘Z’ Campaign Drums up Support for ‘Operation’ in Ukraine

A man walks past the symbol "Z" painted on a bus stop in support of the Russian armed forces, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Saint Petersburg, Russia March 4, 2022. (Reuters)
A man walks past the symbol "Z" painted on a bus stop in support of the Russian armed forces, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Saint Petersburg, Russia March 4, 2022. (Reuters)
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Russia’s ‘Z’ Campaign Drums up Support for ‘Operation’ in Ukraine

A man walks past the symbol "Z" painted on a bus stop in support of the Russian armed forces, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Saint Petersburg, Russia March 4, 2022. (Reuters)
A man walks past the symbol "Z" painted on a bus stop in support of the Russian armed forces, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Saint Petersburg, Russia March 4, 2022. (Reuters)

It's popped up on bus stops, road signs and even a pram in Russia: a "Z" sign to whip up support for what Moscow describes as its "special military operation" in Ukraine.

The campaign takes as its motifs the distinctive "Z" and "V" markings that Russia displayed in white on the flanks and noses of tanks and armored vehicles that invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24.

The letters - as well as a long diagonal stripe - were assumed to be markers for Russia's army to identify its different force contingents, though that has not been confirmed.

Two weeks into the invasion, Russia's defense ministry is promoting the symbols and on Wednesday published a promotional video called "Z Heroes", using the "V" and "Z" to spell out the words for bravery, heroism and strength in truth.

T-shirts with a "Z" logo are for sale in online shops and on state television station RT's website. A "Z" sign was seen on the front of a pram in the far east Amur region, local media said. The coal-mining region of Kuzbass is now spelling its name with a Latin Z instead of the Russian character.

Supporting armed forces

In the northern Arkhangelsk region, the local legislature beamed a "Z" sign on the side of its building after night fell by turning some of the lights on.

"Any kind of undertaking - in this case a good, correct one - has its symbols. Now those letters are Z and V," an official tasked with youth affairs and patriotic education in Arkhangelsk region told Russia's 29.Ru outlet.

He said the Z stood for "For Victory" and "For Unity", while "V" was the traditional symbol for victory.

"It symbolizes support for our armed forces, support for the president's decisions and it is meant to unite us in this difficult situation," the official, Ivan Zhernakov, was quoted as saying.

The extent of the "Z" campaign's popularity and the scale of public support for Russia's war in Ukraine are hard to gauge, though President Vladimir Putin's ratings are clearly high.

State pollster VTsIOM said on Feb. 28 that almost 70% of people supported the "special military operation" in Ukraine, the term that Russian officials use to describe the offensive.

Almost 14,000 people have been detained at anti-war protests in Russia since Feb. 24 and Russia's communications watchdog has blocked an array of independent media outlets.

Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov described the Z marking on Twitter as Nazi insignia.

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Israeli-Iranian Conflict Alarms Residents of Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

A Hezbollah supporter walks near a site previously targeted by an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs during a pro-Iran demonstration on Friday (EPA)
A Hezbollah supporter walks near a site previously targeted by an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs during a pro-Iran demonstration on Friday (EPA)
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Israeli-Iranian Conflict Alarms Residents of Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

A Hezbollah supporter walks near a site previously targeted by an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs during a pro-Iran demonstration on Friday (EPA)
A Hezbollah supporter walks near a site previously targeted by an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs during a pro-Iran demonstration on Friday (EPA)

As the Israeli-Iranian conflict intensifies, many Lebanese, particularly in Hezbollah strongholds such as South Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs, are bracing for the worst.

The possibility of Hezbollah’s involvement in the war has heightened fears of a broader escalation that could drag Lebanon into the conflict once again.

In Beirut’s southern suburb of Hayy al-Sellom, 44-year-old Hassan has already packed a bag, as have his siblings. He says they are waiting for the moment they might have to leave, hoping war doesn’t reach their doorstep.

Similarly, Abir, a resident of Burj al-Barajneh, says her family spends most of their time following the news. With an elderly and sick mother at home, she is worried about how they would evacuate if needed and has already begun looking for a temporary alternative place to stay.

The atmosphere in the southern suburbs is tense but quiet. Commercial activity has dropped noticeably, with shop owners reporting a decline in sales of fresh goods. Many families have already relocated to safer areas in the Bekaa and South Lebanon, especially after the school year ended.

Amina, a homemaker in her forties who lives near the airport road, is one of them. She plans to move to her village with her daughter while her husband remains in Beirut for work. She worries about the possibility of an Israeli strike near her home, which has already been targeted multiple times since the last ceasefire in November. Even without open war, she fears a sudden strike might occur nearby.

Still, not everyone is ready to leave. Kawthar, 30, says her family will stay put unless evacuation becomes absolutely necessary. She notes that in view of her limited financial means, moving isn’t a viable option. Despite the stress and constant presence of Israeli drones overhead, they are trying to maintain a sense of normalcy.

Outside Beirut, the fear is just as real. Mustafa, 77, from Bint Jbeil, says the South has been under near-daily fire, and any new war would only worsen an already fragile situation. He fears Hezbollah could be drawn into battle under Iranian pressure, especially if the US becomes involved.

In the Bekaa, residents like Hussein from Hermel echo similar concerns. Having homes in both Hermel and the southern suburbs - areas frequently targeted - he asks the question on everyone’s mind: Where would we go this time?