A white cross has appeared on AFU vehicles. We explain what it means

Today, many have noticed that the equipment with which the Ukrainian army launched a counteroffensive has a sign of an equilateral white cross.

The press officer of the Kyiv brigade of the TO of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, historian and religious scholar Andrei Kovalev, explained the meaning of this symbol.

There is a tradition of applying temporary signs to army equipment to distinguish "friend or foe." For the Ukrainian military, an equilateral white cross is of great ideological significance. Russian occupiers put the letters Z, V and O on their equipment. An equilateral white cross is a trolling of Russians who boast of their heightened interest in Orthodoxy, Kovalev explained.

In addition, an equilateral white cross is called a "catacomb" and a "sign of victory". It first appeared during the time of the Roman emperor Constantine (306-337 AD). And it was then, according to legend, that he became a symbol of victory.

So, in 312, before the battle with the Italian ruler Maxentius, the pagan Constantine had a vision of Christ ("Under this sign, you will win"). Then he ordered his troops to draw an equal cross on the shields. And then he defeated his opponent.

Since that time, this cross symbolizes the triumph of Christianity over paganism.

In addition, thanks to the white crosses on the coat of arms of Prince Dmitry (Baida) Vyshnevetsky, the symbol entered the Cossack symbols and was found on the banners of the Cossacks.

Thus, this symbol has a double meaning: it indicates the connection of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with our Cossack ancestors and also means a quick victory.

It is significant that the symbol of the Kharkiv counter-offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was the white cross, which is a symbol of victory, - Andrey Kovalev emphasized.