On Instagram, the Russian Ministry of Defence stated that the "Z" symbol is an abbreviation of the phrase "for the victory" (Russian: За победу, tr. za pobedu),[1] while the "V" symbol stands for "our strength is in truth" [ru] (Russian: Сила в правде, tr. sila v pravde) and "the task will be completed" ("Задача будет выполнена").[4][5]