to be propaganda mechanisms for their war. it is dangerous when small little symbols become proxies for being a loyal citizen in an au authoritarian regime because those that don t wear it could be targeted by the state. reporter: in this highly produced propaganda video, russian men wearing that letter declare their support for the invasion, chanting for russia, for the president, for russia, for putin. an aerial shot shows a giant z, a traditional symbol of russian military glory, usually associated with victory over nazi germany. by accident, or design, a character that doesn t feature in russia s alphabet has become an iconic symbol of putin s invasion and a propaganda campaign, to win support among his people. phil black, cnn, london.
prominently on his chest. he was standing next to a ukrainian athlete. the sports governing body described it as shocking behavior. but how do you describe this? terminally ill children and their careers formed a giant z outside a hospice in the russian city of kazar. it s disgusting that the state is co-opting young children to be propaganda mechanisms for their war. it is dangerous when small little symbols become proxies for being a loyal citizen in authoritarian regime during a time of war because those who don t show the z could be targeted by the state. reporter: and in this highly produced propaganda video, russian men wearing that letter declare their support for the invasion. chanting. for russia, for the president, for russia, for putin. an aerial shot shows a giant z made from the orange and black.
cup event, 20-year-old russian competitor ivan kuliak accepted his bronze medal wearing a z prominently on his chest. he was standing next to a ukrainian athlete. the sports governing body described it as shocking behavior. but how do you describe this? terminally ill children and their careers formed a giant z outside a hospice in the russian city of kazan. it s disgusting that the state is coopting young children to be propaganda mechanisms for their war. it is dangerous when small little symbols become proxies for being a loyal citizen in an authoritarian regime because who don t wear it, those who don t show the z could be targeted by the state. reporter: in this highly produced propaganda video, russian men wearing that letter declare their support for the invasion, chanting for russia, for the president, for russia,
here in the eastern ukrainian town, an angry crowd swarms after and attacks a single vehicle. its only obvious connection to the war the letter z. it s almost certainly some kind of tactical grouping. there is a million different theories what the z means, but i think it s just a marking. it s an easy thing to mark. it s like a square or triangle. reporter: in a war where the wanna-be conquerors are not flying their national flag, that single character has taken on special significance. at a recent gymnastics world event, 20-year-old russian competitor ivan kuehl yak accepac accepted bronze medal wearing his z prominently on his chest. he was standing next to a ukrainian athlete. the sports governing body described it as shocking behavior. but how do you describe this? terminally ill children and their careers formed a giant z outside a hospice in the russian city of kazan. it s disgusting that the state is coopting young children
for putin. an aerial shot shows a giant z, made from the orange and black, a traditional symbol of russian military glory, usually associated with victory over nazi germany. by accident, or design, a character that doesn t feature in russia s alphabet has become an iconic symbol of putin s invasion and a propaganda campaign, to win support among his people. phil black, cnn, london. well, much more from ukraine coming up. let s go to atlanta and my friend rosemary church. r rosy? thank you, michael. we ll be back with you very soon. straight ahead, the arrest of two-time olympic basketball gold medalist brittney griner has left supporters anxious about her well-being and fearful that she might be used as a political pawn by moscow.