GTA Online: Putin Propaganda Spotted - Armored Vehicle with Z Icon

Created: 04/07/2022 11:56 am

By: Josh Grossman

In the online mode of Grand Theft Auto 5, Putin supporters are up to mischief.

A player spotted an armored vehicle with the pro-Russian Z symbol on it.

New York - In the game world of GTA* Online, the players are only limited.

In the meantime, the developer Rockstar Games* has brought so much content into play that you have a number of ways to express your individuality.

But that is exactly what is now being exploited by pro-Russian Putin supporters.

A player spotted a black armored vehicle with the Z symbol, which can also be found on military vehicles of the Russian Armed Forces, in GTA online mode.

GTA Online: Putin supporters use Z symbol - armored vehicle with military propaganda

What happened?

Anyone who is out and about in the game world of GTA Online knows that a wide variety of players meet there.

Equip your character with individual clothing or decorate your favorite car with colorful paintwork - the possibilities seem endless.

But these opportunities are also used by players who care less about the well-being of the individual. 

GTA Online: Player Spots Armored Vehicle With Z Icon © Rockstar Games/Reddit: u/doubleUforthy (Montage)

On Reddit, a player posted a picture of his encounter with an armored vehicle bearing the Z symbol.

This is one of several Russian military and propaganda markings found on military vehicles involved in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Although some developers no longer offer their games in Russia, they can still be played.

Russia allowed piracy of video games*.

GTA Online: Armored Vehicle Spotted With Z Icon - That's why Russian propaganda is in the game

How can that be?

In GTA Online you can create what is called a "crew icon" and display it on vehicles and clothing.

However, according to the fans, these symbols are very poorly moderated and offensive symbols and images are regularly found in Grand Theft Auto 5's online mode.

GTA Online: Putin propaganda sighted – armored vehicle with Z symbol © Rockstar Games/picture alliance/dpa/ZUMA Press Wire |

Celestino Arce Lavin (Montage)

Z symbol is punishable:

The Z symbol is a punishable offense in many countries outside of Russia.

Showing the propaganda symbol is also punishable in Germany if it expresses a positive attitude towards the Russian attack on Ukraine.

The Z symbol was banned in Bremen*, but also in Lower Saxony and other federal states.

GTA Online: Putin propaganda not an isolated case - players report other cases

Not an isolated case:

In the Reddit thread from the user u/doubleUforthy, other players report that such cases are not uncommon.

Encounters with Hitler impersonators and vehicles bearing swastikas have occupied some fans for some time.

But so far the developer Rockstar Games does not seem to be taking any action.

However, Rockstar Games is also among a number of developers supporting Ukraine*.

Hate symbols and offensive illustrations created by players can also be found in other video games.

So it's by no means a problem that only plagues GTA Online.

It is difficult to find out whether these are really Putin supporters or just young people who want to make tacky jokes.