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.
wanna-be conquerors are not flying their national flag, that single character has taken on special significance. at a recent gymnastics world 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. the city 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 an authoritarian regime during a time of war. those who don t wear it, 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
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 during a time of war because those who don t wear it, those who don t show the z, could be targeted by the state. reporter: in 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 of the st. george s ribbon, 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 the 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.
it s almost certain some kind of tactical grouping. there s theories what the z means but i think it s a marking because an easy thing to mark in a square or triangle. reporter: in a war where the wanny be congerers are not flying their national flag, that single character has taken on special significance. at a recent gymnastics world cup event a 20-year-old russian competitor 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 carers formed a giant z outside a hospice in the russian city. it s disgusting at 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 an authoritarian regime during a