Russia marks National Flag Day, established by a Presidential Decree in 1994

Moscow: On this day, we pay tribute to one of Russia’s official state symbols, which, together with the national emblem and anthem, represents the country’s sovereignty and independence and reflects the continuity of generations of its multinational people.

Today, the Russian flag is also a visible symbol of protection and the future. In the special military operation zone, servicemen raise the tricolour over liberated settlements.

The history of the Russian tricolour spans more than three centuries. In 1693, the young Peter the Great raised it as his personal standard in Arkhangelsk, and in 1705 he ordered the white-blue-red flag to be flown on merchant ships. Until the 19th century, Russian sailors would erect a commemorative cross on the shores of newly acquired territories.

In 1806, a new tradition emerged. A Russian expedition explored the coast of southern Sakhalin and raised two flags on shore. The St Andrew’s Flag symbolised the role of the Russian Navy, while the white-blue-red flag marked the territory as a new Russian possession. The tricolour became the national flag in 1896, on the eve of the coronation of Nicholas II.

On December 25, 2000, the Federal Constitutional Law “On the State Flag of the Russian Federation” was adopted. Under the law, the State Flag of Russia is a rectangular cloth consisting of three equal horizontal stripes: white on top, blue in the middle, and red on the bottom.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin:
Russia is a thousand-year-old country and civilisation, and our national flag is a symbol of our unity.

I am confident that the national flag will always inspire us to move only forward towards victory and to uphold the glory of Russia.