Russian soldiers, government officials and civilians have been seen displaying the letter Z as the country’s war against Ukraine rages for three weeks.

The letter — which is part of the Latin alphabet, and not the Russian language’s Cyrillic alphabet — first appeared painted on the sides of tanks seen headed toward the Ukrainian border.

Since then, authorities and state media have worked to appropriate Z as a symbol of support for Russia’s army during what the Kremlin calls a « special military operation » in Ukraine — despite no one really knowing what the letter actually stands for.

Here’s a look at how the letter is appearing across the country:

Russian soldiers ride in a truck to the Perekop checkpoint on the Ukrainian border.Sergei Malgavko / TASS

At a car rally in support of the Russian Armed Forces, some vehicles were emblazoned with Z symbols. Nikolai Khizhnyak / TASS

Patients at a children’s hospice in Kazan were lined up in a Z shape.tatar-inform.ru

Vehicles parked to form the word Za (for) in support of the Russian Armed Forces and President Vladimir Putin in the rural town of Zuya in annexed Crimea.t.me/autopartner

A law enforcement officer guards central Moscow’s Manezhnaya Square during an anti-war protest.Vyacheslav Prokofyev / TASS

Civilians form a ‘Z’ sign during a flash mob in support of Russian soldiers in Zhukov Victory Park in the Siberian city of Kemerovo.Danil Aikin / TASS

Russian State Duma lawmaker Sergei Mironov.duma.gov.ru

Maria Butina, a member of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, is seen wearing a shirt emblazoned with the letter Z.duma.gov.ru

A Z-badge on the black-orange ribbon of St. George is seen during an event titled « For Peace! In Support of the President! » held at the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center.Sergei Savostyanov / TASS

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