Scottish Daily Mail

In Z signs, Russia’s invasion cheerleade­rs

- Mail Foreign Service

DRESSED in nurses’ uniforms from a bygone era, social media influencer­s and models pose by tanks in a crude effort to boost Russian war propaganda.

The smiling group – called ‘Sisters for Victory’ – mingled with Vladimir Putin’s troops as their uniforms displayed the Z sign promoting the brutal invasion of Ukraine. Online posts claimed some of the women

are ‘wives and girlfriend­s’ of servicemen fighting in Ukraine. Their snaps in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine were posted on Instagram and Russian social media site VK.

They were shown bringing cakes marking the Orthodox Easter to troops and were previously seen singing a sea shanty in an attempt to convince young people in Russia of the need for war.

They include Alyona Boyko, who has 30,000-plus followers on TikTok and Instagram. Her propaganda message to soldiers was: ‘It is most important not to give up now, to be stronger despite all odds. Hard times will pass and sooner or later, everything will be fine.’ Violetta Moskalenko,

19, who has 3,000-plus followers on Instagram, is a model who took part in Luhansk Fashion Week.

Other ‘nurses’ include beauty contest participan­t Maria Okorokova and actress Anastasia Chepurova.

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 ?? ?? Propaganda pose: ‘Nurses’ with Z signs, circled, line up by tank and hand out cake to troops, above. Right, group member Darya Pugachyova
Propaganda pose: ‘Nurses’ with Z signs, circled, line up by tank and hand out cake to troops, above. Right, group member Darya Pugachyova
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