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Russian model Irina Shayk has been accused of showing support for Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine with a post on her Instagram Story.
Shayk, who has 18.8 million followers on the platform, was hit with an influx of criticism after she took to Instagram this week to post a picture of a salad.
It wasn't the salad itself that caused Instagram users to lash out at Shayk, but rather the caption alongside it which some believed to include a reference to the Z symbol that has become linked to Russia's war against Ukraine.
Russian leader Putin began the war against Ukraine in February, and in the months since millions of people have been displaced, losing their homes, possessions and lives.
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Shayk has previously voiced her opposition to the conflict, posting "No To War" just days after Putin launched his 'military operation', but now people have accused her of supporting the leader due to the caption on her Story, which read: "Russianzz on Wednaday."
There was no other apparent reference to the ongoing conflict, and the Story disappeared after 24 hours without any further comment from Shayk. But that hasn't stopped people from flooding social media with criticism over the use of the 'z' in the caption.
Ukrainian journalist Maria Romanenko is among those who condemned Shayk for the post as she called on sponsors who are working with her to reconsider their partnerships.
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In a post on Twitter, Romanenko wrote: "Irina Shayk – world-famous model from Russia who's recently worked for @Beyonce, Jean Paul Gaultier, @Burberry, &others – posted a weird cryptic story on Instagram with the word 'Russianzz'. I really hope these brands reconsider working with her when Russia uses Z to kill Ukrainians."
Another Twitter user commented: "Irina Shayk supports the war in Ukraine using the Russian military symbol in the form of the letter 'z'. She should be cancelled. Brands stop working with her."
Shayk's story comes after the model shared a photo in which she was holding a book featuring Putin's image as part of an advert for the clothing brand Suspicious Antwerp, though it's not clear why the book was used in the shoot.
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The Z is a symbol which has been featured prominently throughout the war in Ukraine, and is visible on Russian military vehicles such as tanks and helicopters. The Russian defence ministry has previously explained the Z stood for 'Za Pobedu', which translates as 'For Victory'.
UNILAD has reached out to Shayk for further comment.
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information
Emily Brown