Giant letters in support of Moscow's armed forces fighting in Ukraine have been installed in front of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, AFP saw Thursday.
A huge Latin letter 'Z' and 'V' — symbols used by the Russian military which have been adopted by high-profile supporters of Russia's offensive — were put up outside the entrance of the embassy on one of Moscow's main ring roads.
Russia has severed ties with the West amid its military campaign in Ukraine, which has dragged on for more than 21 months.
The letters are the latest pro-Kremlin symbols to be put on the U.S. Embassy's doorstep, where nationalist activists have for years placed imagery backing Moscow's anti-Western foreign policy.
Several Western countries have renamed streets where the local Russian embassy sits in support of Ukraine or Kremlin critics in recent years.
In Washington, the street where the Russian embassy is located was renamed in honor of slain Russian politician Boris Nemtsov.
Ties between Moscow and Washington have sunk to their lowest since the Cold War, with the U.S. and its allies leveling an unprecedented package of sanctions on Moscow since it launched its campaign.
The U.S. is also arming Ukraine to help it battle the Russian offensive.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
