KBR resident detained for discrediting Russian militaries

Zaurbek Zhambekov is suspected of discrediting the Russian Armed Forces after a policewoman complained that Zaurbek's daughter had torn off a sticker in the shape of the letter Z from her car.

In Nalchik, the capital of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR), the policewoman called the police and complained that Zhambekov's underage daughter, at his command, had torn the Z-sticker from her car, the "OVD-Info" human rights project* has informed.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD), the letter Z attached to Russian military equipment, engaged in the special operation in Ukraine, means "Za Pobedu" (For the Victory).

Earlier in March, Zhambekov was already fined under the article about discrediting the Russian Armed Forces because of his posts in social networks. For a repeated violation, this article envisages criminal liability.

Cases of negative attitudes towards the symbols of the special operation have been reported in other regions of Southern Russia. Thus, on April 15, residents of the town of Ipatovo in the Stavropol Territory reported that nine cars belonging to local residents and bearing symbols of the special operation in Ukraine were damaged by unidentified persons.