Belgrade's 'Graffiti War' Over Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine
- By RFE/RL
On the streets of the Serbian capital, supporters and opponents of Russia's invasion of Ukraine are making their opinions known with spray paint.
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This mural of Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared on a leafy Belgrade street corner in early March, and was later defaced with painted blood and sunglasses. The political artwork is one of several examples of pro-Russian graffiti appearing, then being tampered with, in Belgrade amid the invasion of Ukraine.
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On the left of the Putin mural, the artist originally painted the word "brat" (brother). Someone then deleted the first letter with blue paint, leaving the word "rat" (war). Most recently, a supporter of Russia reinstated the "B" and emphasized the other letters with black spray paint.
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Near the Putin mural several “Z” letters have been spray-painted onto temporary fencing. The symbol became an emblem of the invasion of Ukraine when Russian troops were ordered to paint the letter onto their vehicles to distinguish Russian columns from Ukrainian forces.
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A crossed-out "Z" in front of a statue to Nikolai II, the last tsar of Russia. Pro-Russian activists have held several rallies this year that congregate in front of the tsar's statue before marching through the center of Belgrade.
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Graffiti declaring “death to America” alongside a letter "Z." Anti-American sentiment in Serbia has been widespread since the 1999 NATO bombings of Yugoslavia that killed at least 489 civilians.
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In many places throughout the center of Belgrade, the pro-war "Z" symbol has been painted over.
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Graffiti in an underpass in central Belgrade that declares "death to imperialism."
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A pro-Russian "Z" that has been painted over in the center of Belgrade. Serbia is actively moving toward EU membership, but with widespread distrust of the West following the NATO bombings, and centuries-old ties with Russia, some locals say Serbian society is becoming increasingly divided.
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A letter "Z" alongside the date May 9 -- the day Russia celebrates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. The same wall features a defaced portrait of Bosnian Serb military leader and convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic.
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Along with graffiti, T-shirts with the letter "Z" are for sale at several sites in Belgrade. The young man working at this shop in an underpass in the city center told RFE/RL he sells "five to seven" of the T-shirts each day. The shirts cost 800 Serbian dinars, around $7.50.
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T-shirts with the letter "Z" and the words “Russian Army” for sale alongside a design featuring Vladimir Putin in the Belgrade fortress.
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A historic park wall in central Belgrade that has been spray-painted by pro-Russian activists.
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