Russian Military Patrol on Israel's Northern Border

A photo of a Russian military patrol on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights is currently making headlines on social networks. It shows Russian military vehicles with the “Z” symbol now so familiar from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But this time they aren’t in Ukraine, but rather at the foot of the snowy Mount Hermon, on the Syrian side of the strategic Golan Heights.

According to a report by the London-based Arabic newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, the photo is said to be from a video published by Russian media just a few days ago.

The video shows soldiers and vehicles patrolling the Syrian side of the Golan Heights. Some Russian soldiers wore combat uniforms with the letter “Z” printed on them, and military vehicles were also painted with the letter “Z”, a symbol used by Russia to identify its forces in their “special military operation” against Ukraine.

According to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry, the letter Z on Russian military vehicles stands for “victory,” while “V” stands for “the power of truth” and “the mission is accomplished.”