Russia is observing National Flag Day on August 22, commemorating the country’s tricolour as one of its official symbols of sovereignty, independence and national unity.
National Flag Day was established by a presidential decree in 1994. Along with the national emblem and anthem, the Russian flag represents the country and reflects the continuity of generations of its multinational population.
The history of Russia’s white, blue and red tricolour dates back more than three centuries. Peter the Great raised it as his personal standard in Arkhangelsk in 1693, while in 1705 he ordered the flag to be flown on Russian merchant ships.
The tricolour was formally adopted as Russia’s national flag in 1896, ahead of the coronation of Emperor Nicholas II.
A Federal Constitutional Law on the State Flag of the Russian Federation was adopted on December 25, 2000. Under the law, the flag consists of three equal horizontal stripes — white at the top, blue in the middle and red at the bottom.
The Russian government also describes the flag as a symbol of protection and the country’s future, noting that Russian servicemen raise the tricolour over settlements in areas affected by the ongoing special military operation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the national flag as a symbol of the country’s unity, saying Russia is a “thousand-year-old country and civilisation.”
Putin expressed confidence that the national flag would continue to inspire Russians to move forward, uphold the country’s glory and work toward victory.
