These images obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence shared artillery units and tanks rolling through an undisclosed Ukrainian city with one of the soldiers giving the camera the thumbs up sign.

It is currently unclear where and when exactly this footage was filmed as the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has largely ceased releasing written statements along with its footage, but it shows Russian military units bearing the now infamous letter ‘Z’ marked in white on its vehicles and rolling into what appears to be a Ukrainian city.

The footage also shows multiple missile vehicles, also sporting the letter ‘Z’, also driving in the city as the Russian occupier attempts to solidify its position in Ukraine despite fierce resistance from the Ukrainian forces and their leader, President Volodymyr Zelensky, 44.

The meaning of the letter ‘Z’ seen on Russian military vehicles invading Ukraine is still unclear. Other letters were also spotted at the beginning of the invasion on Russian vehicles including the letters ‘O’, ‘X’, ‘A’ and ‘V’. The most popular theory at the moment appears to be that they designate geographical locations, but this has yet to be confirmed.

The letter ‘Z’ is also gained popularity among pro-Putin supporters and infamy around the rest of the world after Russian gymnast Ivan Kullak, 20, caused global outrage and sparked an investigation by the International Olympic Committee because he stood on the podium, in third place with his bronze medal behind 18-year-old Ukrainian gymnast Kovtun Illia who claimed the gold, while sporting the letter ‘Z’ on his attire.

The letter has become synonymous in Russia with supporting the troops and the war in Ukraine, which the Kremlin still refers to as a “special operation”.