Service members of pro-Russian troops drive a tank during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the Donetsk Region, Ukraine May 22, 2022. The writing on the tank reads: "Russia".
Service members of pro-Russian troops drive a tank during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the Donetsk Region, Ukraine May 22, 2022. The writing on the tank reads: "Russia". Reuters / ALEXANDER ERMOCHENKO

KEY POINTS

  • The "Deathly Hallows" symbol from "Harry Potter" was painted on seven Russian tanks spotted in Mariupol, Ukraine, officials say
  • The one who possesses all three "Deathly Hallows" artifacts can become the so-called "Master of Death" in the series
  • The mark was previously seen painted on the equipment of Russia's 3rd Army Corps as well

Russian tanks bearing a symbol from the "Harry Potter" series were spotted in Ukraine's occupied Donetsk region, according to Ukrainian officials.

Seven Russian tanks that were carried by tractors passed along Metalurhiv Avenue in Mariupol, according to Petro Andriushchenko, an advisor to the Ukrainian city's mayor.

The sign of the "Deathly Hallows" from "Harry Potter" was painted on these tanks, which were headed toward the town of Nikolske, Andriushchenko said in a statement posted on Telegram Tuesday. The symbol painted on the tanks was reportedly inverted.

A clip that was included in the post showed what appeared to be armored fighting vehicles and self-propelled guns being transported along a road, but the quality of the footage made it difficult to determine if they were Russian and if the Deathly Hallows symbol was painted on them.

The Deathly Hallows sign was also seen painted on the equipment of Russia's 3rd Army Corps as the unit was being transferred across their home country, Andriushchenko said in another statement posted Saturday.

These were to be sent to Donetsk to strengthen Russia's offensive and fulfill the instruction issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin to reach the region's administrative border by Sept. 15, analysts suggested.

The Deathly Hallows were three legendary magical objects in the "Harry Potter" universe, namely the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone and the Cloak of Invisibility.

They were represented by a triangular mark that contained a straight vertical line surrounded by a circle, each shape referring to one of the Deathly Hallows.

In "Harry Potter," those who possessed all three artifacts can become the so-called "Master of Death," an individual who has accepted the fact that death is inevitable and that there are other things much worse than it, series author Joanne Rowling explained in a 2007 interview with British publication Bloomsbury.

"It is not about striving for immortality, but about accepting mortality," said Rowling, also known by her pen name J.K. Rowling.

Aside from the titular hero and his rival Draco Malfoy, all of the characters in "Harry Potter" who possessed any of the Deathly Hallows died in the books.

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Russian forces have painted all sorts of symbols on their vehicles during the invasion of Ukraine.

Among these was the letter "Z," which was believed to be intended to help Russian task forces distinguish themselves from other forces.

However, the symbol has since become associated with the pro-war movement in Russia.

A service member of pro-Russian troops rides on top of an armoured personnel carrier during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the town of Popasna in the Luhansk Region, Ukraine June 2, 2022.
A service member of pro-Russian troops rides on top of an armoured personnel carrier during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the town of Popasna in the Luhansk Region, Ukraine June 2, 2022. Reuters / ALEXANDER ERMOCHENKO