“Destroyed more than 100 cars”
A report circulated about car vandalism after some residents painted vehicles. Several photos showing damaged exteriors appeared on a Telegram channel, highlighting paint marks on a number of cars.
Locals on South Moravska Street described the incident as affecting more than a hundred cars during the night, sharing the account through a subscriber’s message.
Natalya Kulikova, spokesperson for the Voronezh Region’s Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, told TASS that a number of residents found a red Z symbol painted on their cars in the morning. Authorities noted that some residents called the police after discovering the markings and reported paint damage to the metal finish of their vehicles. A procedural check is underway to identify those responsible, with a formal decision to be issued based on the findings, according to information relayed to Gazeta.ru.
The Voronezh regional government also confirmed that vandalism occurred. An official statement appeared on the Telegram channel of local authorities, noting that unidentified individuals painted several dozen cars with symbols associated with a special military operation in Ukraine on Yuzhno-Moravskaya Street.
The regional governor, Alexander Gusev, expressed unwavering support for the president’s policy and the population’s views on the goals of the operation. He emphasized respect for private property and condemned the act as a provocation intended to undermine the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Gusev added that those responsible would be punished.
Another line of reporting emerged when a Voronezh resident named Tatyana shared on VKontakte that her vehicle also suffered intrusions. Fortunately, the damage was minimal and the paint could be wiped away. She noted that three cars in her yard were painted this morning, and that the work was still fresh enough to be removed. Investigators planned to review surveillance footage to determine the culprits and consider next steps.
Followers of the Telegram channel My and Yours Voronezh voiced concerns that the vandalism could extend beyond the initial incidents, with fears that future marks could be etched with nails or other harder tools, complicating cleanup and increasing costs for car owners.
Opinions about the situation varied. Some subscribers described the events as hooliganism while also suggesting that those who oppose the operation could be seen as supporting it indirectly. Others joked about the local population’s perceived political short-sightedness, while a few observed that painting glass would be easier to remove than other surfaces. Several users offered practical advice on removing the inscriptions, recommending paint-safe cleaners and noting that using ordinary solvents on the Z symbol could harm the vehicle’s finish.
In the broader context, residents are weighing questions about freedom of expression, property rights, and public sentiment during a tense period. Local authorities have stated their intention to protect property and ensure safety, while investigators continue to collect evidence to identify the perpetrators and prevent further incidents. The situation underscores the fragility of urban spaces where political and military rhetoric intersects with everyday life, as communities navigate consequences that touch both vehicles and personal viewpoints.