Many vehicles have been seen with a “Z” either alone or enclosed by a white triangle, square or circle
Dozens of Russian tanks and other military vehicles entering eastern Ukraine this week have sported a mysterious white “Z” marking painted on their sides, causing speculation on social media about what the symbol could mean.
Videos and still images of the vehicles show the letter either by itself or enclosed by a white triangle, square or circle. Other symbols — such as a white triangle with two lines on either side, red triangles, white circles, white triangles and white slashes — have also been spotted on some of the vehicles.
The markings are not just limited to tanks, but have also been seen on trucks and amphibious rigs.
Most observers suggest the markings are identifying signals to fellow Russian troops in order to avoid being victimized by friendly fire. Others have speculated that the markings could identify what company the vehicles are a part of or where they are supposed to be headed in the event of an invasion.
Such signals are not out of the norm for vehicles used in combat. During World War II, the United States military employed similar markings on armored vehicles and jeeps for identification purposes.
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