As Russian forces continue to invade Ukraine, many have spotted military vehicles with the symbol ‘Z’ written on them.
The symbol was placed in a triangle on some trucks, while others had the symbol within a square.
But, what does this ‘Z’ symbol on the Russian tanks mean?
Here’s what you need to know.
Why do Russian tanks have a ‘Z’ symbol on them?
The ‘Z’ symbol was seen on several Russian tanks near the Ukrainian border.
An interesting fact to note is that the Russian alphabet doesn’t include the letter ‘Z’.
A military source from Kyiv, Ukraine, told The Sun that the symbol was being used to distinguish their vehicles from their enemy’s.
They said: ‘It’s vital that any attacking force can be distinguished, particularly from the air where Russian forces will have complete control.
‘The Ukrainians have very similar tanks and vehicles and will want to reduce the risk of friendly fire.’
However, speaking to Sky News, former director of the defence think tank Royal United Services Institute, Professor Michael Clarke, said the symbols were probably connected to where the units’ would get deployed.
He explained: ‘Often these symbols will be location-based – they will be communicating where a unit is heading. If they were only to mark the vehicles as being Russian, you could just use one symbol.
‘The fact that they are different tells you more – they are probably signs which tell you which units are heading to the north-east or north-west of a district, for example.’
The precise meaning of the ‘Z’ symbol is currently unknown. However, it is safe to assume that multiple nations’ military intelligence is currently working on deciphering these symbols.
MORE : Russians pour into streets of Moscow in protest against Ukraine invasion
MORE : How to help the people of Ukraine as it comes under attack from Russia
MORE : How Ukraine’s military compares in size to Russia’s
Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share your views in the comments below.
Russia/Ukraine invasion: all you need to know
Russian forces have launched an attack on Ukraine, with swathes of the country – including capital city Kyiv, bring hit by rocket strikes.
Troops from Russia crossed the Crimea border into Ukraine in the early hours of February 24 after President Vladimir Putin gave the order for his invasion to begin.
Boris Johnson launched a scathing attack on the Russian leader as he unveiled a package of sanctions against the country, saying said Putin ‘will never be able to cleanse the blood of Ukraine from his hands’ and will be ‘condemned’ in the eyes of history.
He said President Vladimir Putin’s regime would be condemned to ‘pariah status’ after unleashing its ‘tidal wave of violence’ against its western neighbour.
Russia invades Ukraine live updates: Kyiv hit by second missile wave
Chernobyl nuclear power plant captured by Russian forces after violent fighting
Turkish ship hit by bomb off the coast of Ukraine
Russian invasion is 'catastrophe for continent' Boris Johnson warns
Live interactive map shows where Russia is attacking Ukraine
Boris Johnson in fierce attack against Vladimir Putin after invasion of Ukraine
Thousands of refugees pour into neighbouring countries after Ukraine invasion
Heavy fighting breaks out near Chernobyl waste storage
What would happen if Russia invaded a Nato country?
Does military conscription still exist in the UK?
What is martial law as it is declared in Ukraine?
What does 'slava Ukraini' mean?
from News – Metro https://ift.tt/6rOD2v1
0 Comments