It is used to clearly designate Russian vehicles from very similar Ukrainian vehicles.
In addition, they are used to designate different major commands within the Russian forces. "Z" is for Eastern Military District. "Z" with a square around it is for forces in Crimea. An "O" or circle is for forces from/in Belarus. "V" is Naval Infantry or what we call the Marines. "X" is for Chechens. "A" is for various special operation groups. Etc.
The US did the same thing in the Gulf War. You may remember seeing ">", "<", "^", etc. on military vehicles. Depending on the directions of the arrow (or Lambda), it designated the unit the vehicle belonged to. Additional dots within the arrow further delineated who "owned" what.
While it may seem pretty low-tech, it is highly functional in the fog of combat.
In addition, they are used to designate different major commands within the Russian forces. "Z" is for Eastern Military District. "Z" with a square around it is for forces in Crimea. An "O" or circle is for forces from/in Belarus. "V" is Naval Infantry or what we call the Marines. "X" is for Chechens. "A" is for various special operation groups. Etc.
The US did the same thing in the Gulf War. You may remember seeing ">", "<", "^", etc. on military vehicles. Depending on the directions of the arrow (or Lambda), it designated the unit the vehicle belonged to. Additional dots within the arrow further delineated who "owned" what.
While it may seem pretty low-tech, it is highly functional in the fog of combat.