Amid ukraine invasion, Russians launch Z into space

Russia-Ukraine war news: Russia has launched its carrier rocket Soyuz-2.1a into space with the letter 'Z' painted on it. The letter has been seen on various war equipment amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia on Wednesday launched a carrier rocket, Soyuz-2.1a, into space from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in Mirny, Arkhangelsk Oblast. The letter 'Z' was painted on the rocket, which has been seen on the equipment of the Russian army participating in the Ukraine invasion.

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The letter, 'Z', has become the symbol of support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine under President Vladimir Putin. The letter was first spotted on Russian tanks and military trucks stationed near the Ukrainian border. The Russian defence ministry has also posted stylised graphics of the letters Z and V on its Instagram page. However, no definite explanation of what the letters stand for has been provided.

The influence of the letter spread over to sports when Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak sported 'Z' on his chest at the Apparatus World Cup in Doha earlier this year. The 20-year-old Russian athlete finished third and displayed the symbol as he stood on the podium next to Ukrainian rival Illia Kovtun, who won the gold.

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