Military experts think the symbols are identifying marks used to reduce friendly fire, similar to the invasion stripes used in the Normandy landings during World War II. Some of the other letters inscribed by the Russian military on their vehicles including a V, an O, and an O with a diagonal stroke. Some Ukrainian officials and commenters on the Internet also started referring to Russia as Ruzzia or RuZZia (Russian: Роzzия or РоZZия Ukrainian: Роzzія or РоZZія). The 'Z' symbol has been pejoratively called a zwastika or zwaztika, in reference to the Nazi swastika, or pejoratively in Russian and Ukrainian as 'ziga' (Russian: зига) in reference to Sieg Heil, by opponents of the war. The use of the symbol is a criminal offense in several countries including Germany. Outside Russia, the symbol has been banned from public display in various countries. Subsequently, it also became a militarist symbol used in Russian propaganda and by Russian civilians as a sign of support for the invasion. It is speculated that the Z helps task forces distinguish themselves from other forces.

zet, IPA: ) is one of several symbols (including 'V' and 'O') painted on military vehicles of the Russian Armed Forces involved in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Latin-script letter Z (Russian: зет, tr. Symbols used on Russian military vehicles during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

Assigned to meaning