The Russian invasion of Ukraine has a symbol that has transcended the war on the ground. It is the letter zeta and it is displayed by the defenders of Putin and his aggression. In this video, we explain how this sign, which is not part of the Cyrillic alphabet, has jumped from the tanks to the streets and how the Kremlin’s propaganda has opted for a new flag to prop up its nationalism. José María Faraldo, professor of history at the Complutense University of Madrid, whose doctorate dealt with Russian nationalism, explains how the z fills the void left by other communist symbols in the past. “They had a big problem because they couldn’t use the hammer and sickle. Now Putin has got a symbol that works for him.”
The ‘Z’ in the street, on the networks and on television
The video also reviews all the scenarios where the zeta has been seen. On the streets of Moscow, on billboards and even painted on cars. In social networks, it is added in the form of labels to show support for Russia and even RT, the international television channel financed with Russian money, sells a t-shirt with the letter turned into merchandise. Outside the borders of Russia, it has reached a pro-Russian demonstration in Belgrade, and in Doha, Ivan Kuliak wore it in his shirt to get on the podium of the artistic gymnastics world cup, where the Ukrainian Illia Kovtun was also, who had won gold.
“The propaganda for Russia has been essential,” adds Faraldo. “First in relation to the Crimean war and then in Ukraine. Propaganda has managed to make a large part of the population believe that Nazis rule Ukraine.” This can be seen on Russian television, where any message that deviates from the official discourse risks being silenced.
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