Post by Jaga on Mar 9, 2022 5:07:42 GMT -7
news.yahoo.com/why-the-letter-z-has-become-russias-pro-war-symbol-during-its-invasion-of-ukraine-214940587.html
Why the letter 'Z' has become Russia’s pro-war symbol during its invasion of Ukraine
Nicole Darrah·Breaking News Editor
Tue, March 8, 2022, 2:49 PM
In this article:
Since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military invasion of Ukraine, the letter “Z” — even though it is represented with a different sign in the Cyrillic alphabet — has popped up in curious places: on Russian tanks, trucks and cars, on a gymnast’s leotard, in a formation of terminally ill Russian children who were seemingly told to show their support for the nation.
The “Z” has also been seen in other places throughout Russia, including in newspapers, on billboards and on merchandise, after RT, Russia’s state-owned media network, announced in February that it was selling T-shirts and hoodies featuring the symbol.
Military and foreign policy experts say the letter has become an apparent rallying cry for the “military operation” that Putin’s government has undertaken and forbidden citizens to call a “war” or “invasion.” Here’s a rundown on what we know about the use of “Z” in recent weeks.
What does the 'Z' stand for?
A protester holds a "Z" sign, in reference to Russian tanks marked with the letter, at a rally organised by right-wing Serbian organisations in support of Russian attacks on Ukraine, in Belgrade on March 4.
There are several theories on what the use of the letter actually represents, including a theory that it is a “state-induced meme.”
That’s according to Vasily Gatov, a Russian-American media analyst, who told the New York Times: “There are always people receptive to this kind of message.”
Russia’s defense ministry has not explicitly commented on the use of the letter in its current context, but did post on Instagram last week that the pro-war symbol stems from the Russian phrase "За победу," which starts with a “Z” sound and means “for the victory.”
It’s been speculated that the symbols could have been painted on military tanks and other gear to avoid friendly fire given that Ukrainian military hardware was also manufactured in Russia.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Tyson Wetzel explained to the military news outlet Task & Purpose that “‘Z’ markings (and others like it) are a deconfliction measure to help prevent fratricide, or friendly fire incidents,” because military equipment used by Russians and Ukrainians is often indistinguishable.
Vladimir Putin
President of Russia
Half measures are for the half-hearted. If President Biden and other democratic leaders around the world are really going to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin for his brutal invasion of Ukraine, then it’s time to apply the muscle needed to clip his power permanently and smash his ability to wreak destruction wherever he chooses.
The way to corral Putin is with robust energy sanctions that will raise prices even more and cause genuine hardship for millions outside of Russia—but pay off in the end. That should be combined with resolute but careful military support, including covert aid. Biden and the leaders of allied nations in Europe, Asia and elsewhere will have to explain coming sacrifices to their people and find ways to rally them if success isn’t quick.
Military hawks want the NATO military alliance to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine and confront Russian forces militarily. This is unclever and dangerous and likely to be backfire. Armchair generals should read up on what it takes to establish a no-fly zone over a country the size of Texas. It would be a massive mobilization almost certainly involving losses of NATO aircraft and personnel Russia would be able to target with stand-off weapons. It would also require NATO airstrikes inside Russian territory, to disable air-defense systems that reach into Ukraine. That would give Putin exactly the justification he’s looking for to characterize his demonic jihad as a reaction to NATO aggression. It would also give him the pretext for using tactical nuclear weapons, if he’s willing to go that far.
We don't know what's happening behind the scenes
It's easy to understand why Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky continually asks NATO to establish a no-fly zone to limit the Russian bombs and missiles killing civilians and wrecking schools, hospitals, apartment buildings and government offices. But Zelensky must know NATO is not going to do this, since every Western leader commenting on the idea has ruled it out. It’s possible this is a deliberate feint, of sorts: Zelensky keeps asking for an escalation that would undoubtedly trigger Putin, while NATO and other friendly nations keep saying no, while slipping Ukraine other types of military aid that’s a little less escalatory. Know-it-all war commentators should keep in mind there’s always stuff going on behind the scenes during a military conflict.
Why the letter 'Z' has become Russia’s pro-war symbol during its invasion of Ukraine
Nicole Darrah·Breaking News Editor
Tue, March 8, 2022, 2:49 PM
In this article:
Since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military invasion of Ukraine, the letter “Z” — even though it is represented with a different sign in the Cyrillic alphabet — has popped up in curious places: on Russian tanks, trucks and cars, on a gymnast’s leotard, in a formation of terminally ill Russian children who were seemingly told to show their support for the nation.
The “Z” has also been seen in other places throughout Russia, including in newspapers, on billboards and on merchandise, after RT, Russia’s state-owned media network, announced in February that it was selling T-shirts and hoodies featuring the symbol.
Military and foreign policy experts say the letter has become an apparent rallying cry for the “military operation” that Putin’s government has undertaken and forbidden citizens to call a “war” or “invasion.” Here’s a rundown on what we know about the use of “Z” in recent weeks.
What does the 'Z' stand for?
A protester holds a "Z" sign, in reference to Russian tanks marked with the letter, at a rally organised by right-wing Serbian organisations in support of Russian attacks on Ukraine, in Belgrade on March 4.
There are several theories on what the use of the letter actually represents, including a theory that it is a “state-induced meme.”
That’s according to Vasily Gatov, a Russian-American media analyst, who told the New York Times: “There are always people receptive to this kind of message.”
Russia’s defense ministry has not explicitly commented on the use of the letter in its current context, but did post on Instagram last week that the pro-war symbol stems from the Russian phrase "За победу," which starts with a “Z” sound and means “for the victory.”
It’s been speculated that the symbols could have been painted on military tanks and other gear to avoid friendly fire given that Ukrainian military hardware was also manufactured in Russia.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Tyson Wetzel explained to the military news outlet Task & Purpose that “‘Z’ markings (and others like it) are a deconfliction measure to help prevent fratricide, or friendly fire incidents,” because military equipment used by Russians and Ukrainians is often indistinguishable.
Vladimir Putin
President of Russia
Half measures are for the half-hearted. If President Biden and other democratic leaders around the world are really going to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin for his brutal invasion of Ukraine, then it’s time to apply the muscle needed to clip his power permanently and smash his ability to wreak destruction wherever he chooses.
The way to corral Putin is with robust energy sanctions that will raise prices even more and cause genuine hardship for millions outside of Russia—but pay off in the end. That should be combined with resolute but careful military support, including covert aid. Biden and the leaders of allied nations in Europe, Asia and elsewhere will have to explain coming sacrifices to their people and find ways to rally them if success isn’t quick.
Military hawks want the NATO military alliance to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine and confront Russian forces militarily. This is unclever and dangerous and likely to be backfire. Armchair generals should read up on what it takes to establish a no-fly zone over a country the size of Texas. It would be a massive mobilization almost certainly involving losses of NATO aircraft and personnel Russia would be able to target with stand-off weapons. It would also require NATO airstrikes inside Russian territory, to disable air-defense systems that reach into Ukraine. That would give Putin exactly the justification he’s looking for to characterize his demonic jihad as a reaction to NATO aggression. It would also give him the pretext for using tactical nuclear weapons, if he’s willing to go that far.
We don't know what's happening behind the scenes
It's easy to understand why Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky continually asks NATO to establish a no-fly zone to limit the Russian bombs and missiles killing civilians and wrecking schools, hospitals, apartment buildings and government offices. But Zelensky must know NATO is not going to do this, since every Western leader commenting on the idea has ruled it out. It’s possible this is a deliberate feint, of sorts: Zelensky keeps asking for an escalation that would undoubtedly trigger Putin, while NATO and other friendly nations keep saying no, while slipping Ukraine other types of military aid that’s a little less escalatory. Know-it-all war commentators should keep in mind there’s always stuff going on behind the scenes during a military conflict.