Activist Dmitry Ivanov returned home one day to find the message "Don't betray your country, Dima" written on his door, alongside a large letter "Z". Acts of vandalism like this one to intimidate anti-war activists in Russia have become more common as the war in Ukraine rages on. The letter Z has factored strongly into these messages, and is now used as a symbol of support for Russia's "special military operation".
The letter Z first appeared painted on the side of military vehicles as Russia began amassing troops around Ukraine. The symbol identifies Russian equipment, differentiating it from similar Ukrainian vehicles.
