Kremlin ‘Z’ brand and “Schizo-fascism”
Source: RFE / RL
Russian philosopher Mikhail Epstein calls modern Russian society “schizo-fascism” and says it is “fascism disguised as a war against fascism.”
The letter Z of the Latin alphabet Russia President Vladimir Putin to Ukraine snowhas become a symbol of support for the war. Of course that, In Russia, for some Russians. Correspondent Robert Coalson writes that this symbol has caused “anxiety, fear and other negative feelings” in many Russians.
In Russia and Many abroad see this aggressive symbol as a fascist emblem. Political Commentator Vitaly Portnikov calls the Z symbol a “style semi-swastika,” while other commentators call it a “swastika.”
Independent at a meeting of the municipal body in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk on March 16 deputy Khelga Pirogova suggested that, Z symbol to the city, buses, other vehicles yaphow much money is spent on heating should be included in the agenda of the meeting.
“I receive a lot of messages from residents, they want action on this symbol. They don’t like him. This arouses anxiety, fear and other negative feelings in them, “Pirogova told Siberia.Realities.
Deputy Chairman of the City Council Yevgeny Yakovenko and Pirogova and to war snowto sentence others to correctional labor “national traitors. “
The letter Z invaded Ukraine on February 24 Russia shot at military equipment. Russia Although the army did not explain the meaning of the letter, analysts believe it refers to the Western (Western) Military District. This badge is Russian equipment Ukraine distinguishes it from the equipment of the armed forces.
Kremlin “brand”
“Within a week of the start of the war, Kremlin propagandists began using the Z symbol, a mystical association, for their own purposes,” said Ruslan Leviyev, a military analyst with the Conflict Intelligence Team, an independent monitoring group. “They also thought of various simple explanations, as if Z means ‘for victory’ (Za pobedu),” he added.
The Latin letter V (Vostochny) is used in the same way, but less often.
Leviyev notes that Z has become a “brand” of the Kremlin. Putin The government uses orange and black St. George ribbons to commemorate the victory in World War II. During Russia’s intervention in Ukraine in 2014, these tapes became an expression of support.
In recent weeks, the symbol Z has begun to appear everywhere in Russia. The Central Election Commission put it in the logo.
The governor of the Kemerovo region Sergei Tsivilyov instructed to write the official name of the Kuzbass region as Kuzbass.
“Z” everywhere
The Kremlin has banned Russia from calling the attack on Ukraine a “war,” using the term “special operation.” RT state TV channelHe calls the war in Ukraine “Operation Z Special” and releases short-sleeved shirts with the Z logo.
The Wildberries online store in Russia produces a variety of products with the letter Z, such as glass stickers for cars.
Agile police Z began to appear on the signs of the regiment.
In public institutions, “flash mobs” dedicated to the symbol Z are organized.
“Schizo-fascism”
“Russia is moving towards clinical madness. I did not imagine that there would be a war, but it happened. That means it that, I live in a different reality, I can’t comprehend them. ” Moscow living political analyst Dmitry Oreshkin said.
Mikhail Epstein, a Russian philosopher who teaches in the United States, calls modern Russian society “schizo-fascism,” calling it “fascism disguised as a war against fascism.”
“Schizo-fascism is a kind of caricature of fascism. But serious, dangerous and is an aggressive cartoon. Schizo-fascism freedom, democracy, foreign and ‘others’ means hysterical hatred of everything. This is a constant enemy and It is a search for a traitor, ”he told North.Realities.
“Milli traitors “
Putin on March 16 “national condemning the traitors ”reinforced this impression. He said that any society would “spit on real traitors like flies by accident.”
Doha online student publication reported on March 16 according to, Moscow student activists Dmitry Ivanov and Z symbol on the buildings where Olga Mishik lives and accusations of treason were written.
Activists in St. Petersburg snowThere are reports of similar intimidation techniques.
Personal data of those who opposed the war social It is reported that it is spread on media channels. Human rights activist Daniil Berman on March 17 Facebookwrote in that, The Investigative Committee in Moscow has been unofficially instructed to close all “economic affairs” as soon as possible, as in April “enemies of the state” and There will be a lot of work against national traitors. “
Meanwhile, there are Russians who have taken courage from those who opposed the regime of Adolf Hitler in Germany.
March 16 in the Siberian city of Irkutsk protestHe was holding a white rose in the central square.
In the early 1940s, the White Rose Movement in Munich distributed leaflets calling for resistance to the Nazi regime. The group’s three main leaders were executed on February 22, 1943.