A video propaganda clip released by Russian defense officials shows paratroopers spelling out ‘ZOV’ in the sky in support of the ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine.
The military skydiving formation was shared by the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) on June 1.
The Russian military said the aerial spectacle was performed by CSKA (Central Sports Club of the Army) and Western Military District skydivers.
The Ministry of Defense said: “CSKA and Western Military District skydivers held an event in support of participants in the special military operation.
“As part of the Russian Armed Forces’ Parachuting Cup, CSKA and Western Military District skydivers lined up in free-fall formations to make the shape of the letters Z, V and O in support of participants in the special military operation.”
However, some confusion still remains about what the Russian military’s use of the Latin characters means.
The Russian MoD previously said in March that the ‘Z’ symbol is an abbreviation of ‘for victory’, later changed to ‘for peace’, while the ‘V’ stands for ‘strength in truth’ or simply ‘for truth’.
Meanwhile, Conflict Intelligence Team founder Ruslan Leviev said the Western Military District is represented by the Latin characters ZVO with vehicles marked with Z. The Eastern Military District is VVO in Latin and the first letter V is marked on their vehicles.
Russian troops invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. June 1 marks the 98th day of the campaign.
From February 24 to June 1, the total combat losses of Russian troops stand at around 30,700 personnel, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military also claims that Russia has lost 1,361 tanks, 3,343 armored fighting vehicles, 659 artillery systems, 207 multiple launch rocket systems, 94 anti-aircraft systems, 208 warplanes, 175 helicopters, 2,290 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, 13 vessels, 519 unmanned aerial vehicles, 49 units of special equipment, and 120 cruise missiles.
In recent news, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Russian strikes on a nitric acid tank in the besieged eastern city of Sievierodonetsk “madness”.
Residents of Sievierodonetsk have been warned to remain in bomb shelters and to prepare masks to protect against toxic fumes as the fighting intensifies.
Analysts say up to 70 percent of the city is now controlled by invading Russian forces, with almost all critical infrastructure and housing destroyed.
President Joe Biden said he will send Kyiv more advanced rocket systems that will help to strike enemy forces from a longer distance.
These rocket systems have double the range of the rocket systems used by Russian forces and are said to be much more accurate.
