With its red fez, broad smile and simplified French, Banania’s mascot has been associated with racist stereotypes.

For much of the post-Soviet era, ‘Z’ was the symbol of a music festival in Crimea that united people across borders.

Khurvaleti is increasingly affected by Russian forces demarcating the ‘border’ of breakaway state South Ossetia.

Before the advent of today’s low-cost air travel, Soviet citizens hopped on budget flights run by Aeroflot.