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Transcript/ScriptRussia Z Symbol – Bafradzhian
HEAD: Letter Z Becomes Russian Propaganda Tool
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: 05/12/2022 AT 10:15AM
BYLINE: Karina Bafradzhian ((PLEASE DON’T USE HER NAME))
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: David Gogokhia
PRODUCER:
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA
PLATFORMS: TV only
EDITORS: KE; BR
TRT: 3:29
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE: All interviews are Zoom and cleared for use))
((INTRO))
[[Since the invasion of Ukraine began, the letter Z was used by Russia as a way to identify its military vehicles inside Ukraine. But the letter has now become a propaganda symbol inside Russia and Ukraine. VOA’s Russia service produced this report.]]
((NARRATION))
It appears in social networks posts, during patriotic concerts in Russia, at pro-war rallies and even on clothing and cars. The letter Z has become one of the Kremlin’s main propaganda tools in the war against Ukraine.
((Henry Hale, George Washington University)) ((Courtesy: ZOOM))
“I think symbols play complex roles in politics. One of the most important of those roles is to connect emotions to specific narratives that the Kremlin and other political leaders want to get out. And so, I think in this case, the symbol like Z is meant to evoke in people emotions of patriotism, loyalty…”
((NARRATION))
The letters Z and V were first seen on Russian tanks mobilizing near Ukraine in the days before the invasion, but no official reason was given at the time for why they were there.
One of the most common explanations associated the letters with the tanks’ military district; with Z standing for West, and V for East.
But in the first days of the war, Russia’s Defense Ministry said the letter Z meant ‘Za pobedu’ –
((Mandatory courtesy: Russia’s Ministry of Defense + Twitter Logo))
‘For Victory’.
That’s when Russian authorities started using Z as a propaganda tool.
((End courtesy))
((Vasily Gatov, Media Researcher)) ((IN RUSSIAN)) ((Mandatory: ZOOM))
“Typography deals with the dynamics of these symbols, letters and numbers. It so happens that in Cyrillic which is more relatable to Russians there are almost no dynamic symbols. But in the Latin alphabet there are three very dynamic letters – L, V and Z. They are easy to write, and they are extremely dynamic.”
((NARRATION))
Promoting the letter Z, experts say, is also an attempt to create national unity.
((Henry Hale, George Washington University)) ((Mandatory: ZOOM))
“First and foremost, it’s aimed at the Russian population itself. Because most important for the Kremlin is to not even necessarily mobilize support for the invasion, but to demobilize opposition.”
((NARRATION))
Experts say Russia’s choice of this symbol is rushed and ill-considered because of its similarity to a Nazi swastika.
And for opponents of the war in Russia and elsewhere, the letter Z has turned into a symbol of Russia’s aggression as opposed to the unity of Russians.
((Laurence, Maryland Resident))
“This is a neo-Nazi symbol. Very evil, very scary…”
((Jeff, Maryland Resident))
“Nazis, I guess. That’s the first thing that comes to mind.”
((Rita, Maryland Resident))
“It reminds me of the president of Ukraine, Zelensky. He’s doing a fantastic job! He’s wonderful! And I hope that’s what it’s reminding the people of Russia!”
((NARRATION))
For many, Z has become a symbol of tragedy and war crimes.
French film director Michel Hazanavicius, whose comedy titled ‘Z’ opened the Cannes festival this year, had to change the film’s name to avoid any associations with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russians who oppose the war also don’t want to linked with this symbol either - the bands DDT and Bi-2 have refused to perform
((Mandatory courtesy: Meduza.io))
on stages decorated with banners sporting the letter
((End courtesy))
Z.
((For VOA’s Russian Service, VOA News, Washington))
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