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Russian President Putin announced a full-scale military invasion of his country. People were evacuated from damaged apartment buildings.

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A protester holds a "Z" sign banner, in reference to Russian tanks marked with the letter, during a rally organised by Serbian right-wing organisations in support of Russian attacks on Ukraine, in Belgrade March 4, 2022.
Around a thousand Serbian ultra nationalist supporters marched in Belgrade in support of the Russian attacks on Ukraine, some carrying banners with a white "Z."Milos Miskov/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
  • A new emblem has appeared in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

  • The Z was painted on the sides of military vehicles as Russian tanks invaded Ukraine.

  • It may have started off as a Russian signal for victory, but has now become a symbol of the far-right.

A new symbol of Russia's war against Ukraine has emerged, a white Z emblem, stylized in a thick brushstroke. It has been painted on Russian tanks and military vehicles and worn by protesters as a show of support for Russia's invasion.

In the past several weeks, the "Z" has become a potent symbol of support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russian nationalist groups have co-opted the mark.

The emblem was first spotted on Russian tanks in February

Service members of pro-Russian troops in uniforms without insignia are seen atop of a tank with the letter "Z" painted on its sides in the separatist-controlled settlement of Buhas (Bugas), as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine March 1, 2022.
The original meaning of the "Z" symbol is unclear and has not been confirmed by official sources.Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters

The Z symbol was first spotted on February 22 on Russian military vehicles.

The Z symbols, which appeared on tanks framed by squares, triangles, and other painted shapes, were speculated to be a way to distinguish infantries.

Some people interpreted the word "Z" as short for "za pobedy", according to a former Galina Starovoitova Fellow at the Wilson Center.

—Kamil Galeev (@kamilkazani) March 6, 2022

Russian military sources have yet to confirm the meaning of the symbol.

A symbol of Russian nationalism and a rallying cry in support of Putin

A tank with the symbol "Z" painted on its side is seen in the separatist-controlled village of Bugas during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the Donetsk region, Ukraine March 6, 2022
The "Z" symbol has appeared on the sides of Russian military vehicles in the country's invasion of Ukraine.Alexander Ermochenko/ Reuters

The letter is not in the Cyrillic Russian alphabet, but it appears to have woven itself into the broader Russian wartime narrative.

Cars with the Z logo were spotted around Russia, as well as businesses co-opting the symbol.

—Kamil Galeev (@kamilkazani) March 6, 2022

On March 4, a crowd of pro-Russian far-right Serbian protesters marching in Belgrade waved signs.

—Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2) March 6, 2022

A group of Russian nationalist protesters in Leningrad were filmed wearing hoodies with the words "We don't give up our own" on them.

The slogan echoed false Russian claims that the invasion is meant to liberate and de-Nazify Ukraine.

On Sunday, a Russian gymnast appeared at a medal ceremony with a "Z" taped to his uniform

Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak taped a Z symbol on the front of his uniform while accepting a medal at the gymnastics World Cup in Doha on Sunday. Illia Kovtun came in first, but he came in third.

—Denis Kazakiewicz (@Den_2042) March 6, 2022

The Gymnastics Ethics Foundation has been asked by the International Gymnastics Federation to investigate Kuliak.

The pro-Putin figures wore the symbol. Maria Butina, a convicted Russian spy and current member of the Russian State Duma, was seen in a video removing her blazer and drawing a Z on her lapel.

—Francis Scarr (@francska1) March 3, 2022

The Russian invasion is being covered by Insider's live blog.

The original article can be found on Insider.

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